Playoff race - Mar 20 - Sabres and Capitals fight back, Sharks slip

Playoff race took somewhat expected course last night. Eastern teams on the brink of playoffs, Washington Capitals and Buffalo Sabres, both pulled off comfortable victories to keep their positions on both sides of the playoff line. Sabres are chasing the Capitals. Capitals are chasing division leader Florida Panthers. If anyone falters, they're the one out of the playoffs. Florida has some cushion in points and games in hand, so they control their own destiny. Another hopeful, Winnipeg Jets is looking for an opportunity to break through Sabres and Caps. What a race!

In the West we saw San Jose Sharks waste another opportunity for taking a stand for playoff berth. This time they suffered a disappointing loss in the hands of local nemesis, Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks are out of the playoffs, but surely can find some enegry in trying to spoil the run for dear California neighbors. The Sharks still have games in hand for overtaking Phoenix and Colorado, who currently sit on seventh and eighth in the West. With their recent inconsistent play, it doesn't seem to mean a whole lot. Tonight they have one of the most important games of the season, facing Los Angeles Kings who they are tied with on the ninth spot in the conference. A solidary three point game again? Phoenix and Dallas are also facing off tonight, so we might see the whole Pacific division reogranized once the lights go out in the end. As a cherry on top of the Western race, Colorado Avalanche fights for points tonight against Calgary Flames on a bout that has epic impact for each.

And if the Eastern race is fantastic to follow, the Western one manages to push even further. Tonight we'll see it all on the ice: blood, sweat and tears.

Playoff race - Mar 19 - Eastern stalemate and a big point in the West

Sunday night's round of pre-playoff hockey saw both Washington Capitals and Winnipeg Jets lose their games. These two Souheast teams are fighting for East's last playoff spot and have little room for losses like this. Capitals were crushed by significantly better and tougher team, Chicago Blackhawks where Jets fell for Carolina Hurricanes who are hanging on extremely unlikely chances to make it. Their zero pint nights open another possibility for Buffalo Sabres who have a chance to tie Capitals for eighth tonight against Tampa Bay.

In the West, Phoenix Coyotes jumped over couple of teams to take their turn for a night in the playoff bound crowd. At the same time Calgary Flames lost one point on an overtime loss against league-worst Columbus Blue Jackets. The Flames are now two points out and their lousy performance against two worst teams in the league may have cost them a lot. LA Kings are surging up, Colorado Avalanche has been strong and consistent. Phoenix and San Jose have few points and/or games in hand. With only nine games left, the Flames need to snap out of this funk and finish strong to overtake three out of these four.

All in all, the fans get their money's worth every night on both conferences. The race seems to be extremely tight and entertaining all the way to the finish line.