Thursday's action saw many of the playoff hopefuls fall under pressure. Teams chasing the last playoff spots like Anaheim, Buffalo, Tampa Bay, Los Angeles and Colorado, all took losses that at this point may prove to be very costly. Anaheim Ducks have the worst of these and their hopes for the playoffs hang on a thin thread. Basically they need to win all of the remaining games. And that won't happen.
Washington Capitals managed to overtake Tampa Bay with a crucial inter divisional battle for the playoff spot. The game went to overtime so also the Lightning got something out of this contest. Meanwhile, Winnipeg Jets suffered a heartbreaking one goal loss to Vancouver Canucks and had to give up the last playoff position for the Capitals for now.
San Jose's miserable run in the West continued with another shootout loss. One point salvaged and still hanging on the final playoff spot, but looking terribly shaky.
This is the time, where teams have to dig deeper than before and grind out the necessary victories to make it to the playoffs. The value of experience and cool nerves goes up in the market.
On the top of the league, some teams keep on making even stronger statements for the playoff expectations. Philadelphia Flyers' troubled 10 million dollar goalie, Ilya Bryzgalov, seems to have finally found the necessary calmness to be the backbone of the team. Another shutout under his belt and convincing 5-0 victory for the Flyers over Panthers. Also the New Jersey Devils are on a great run. This time they beat lowly Islanders easily with their superstar forward Ilya Kovalchuk leading the pack with a hattrick.
No matter how hard the bubble teams fight to get into the playoffs, it's very unlikely they will survive on the first round in the hands of these continuously stellar teams leading the league.
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