Playoff race - Apr 3 - Kings roll, Caps fall

Monday night had only two games, but both showcased a team in tough spot. Los Angeles Kings took another low scoring victory behind their amazing goalie Jonathan Quick. 2-0 against the young Edmonton Oilers positions the Kings steadier to the pedestal in Pacific division. Now it's the rest of the division that needs to push further to challenge the Kings. Falling out of playoffs seems now next to impossible for LA.

Meanwhile in the East, Washington Capitals suffered a devastating defeat in the hands of Tampa Bay Lightning and league's number one sniper, Steven Stamkos. Now the Caps need to follow closely the efforts by Buffalo Sabres tonight against lowly Toronto Maple Leafs. A likely victory for Buffalo brings them even with Capitals, but leaves Washington in with the tiebreaker. It's obvious that neither team can afford another loss in the last few games without the other stumbling similarly. The one with better precision will enter the playoffs. Monetary gains are obvious, even though facing the juggernaut Rangers on the first round might not look too promising.

Playoff race - Mar 16 - Lights out for Lightning, West in deadlock

Thursday night's action was as intense as it gets at this time of the season. While most of the hockey world was concentrated on following Sidney Crosby's return, the life or death games were played elsewhere. Tampa Bay Lightning took a beating from Toronto Maple Leafs, who are already out of the playoff competition. After this the Lightning are practically out as well. Other teams in the Eastern playoff bubble are playing strong and running away. Only a miracle run of 12 straight victories to end the season could boost them up to the playoffs, but that's not going to happen.

Meanwhile in the Western conference, no one is willing to let go off their hopes on the playoffs and the heads up games between the hopefuls reach epic propotions. Last night Calgary Flames continued their strong run in the expence of falling Phoenix Coyotes. Colorado Avalanche lost one point in a shootout loss to New Jersey Devils and San Jose Sharks showed more signs of life in shootout victory over tough-as-nails Nashville Predators. Now there's four teams wihin one point and two playoff spots to share between them. Idle Los Angeles Kings can join the crowd with a victory tonight over summer vacation bound Anaheim Ducks.

And under the spotlight then? Crosby's return was successful and having him and Kris Letang back in the lineup seemed to push the red hot Penguins even higher, both in confidence and skill levels. A comfortable victory over East leading New York Rangers to rack up tenth win in a row puts Pittsburgh on top of the list of Stanley Cup favorites.