Tonight's Postseason Implications

For the five or six people who gave a flying toss about HBO's "In Treatment," I imagine the last few weeks of the NHL season have had a similar intensity: Every night a new drama, every night a new revelation, and every night bringing us closer to a conclusion that will be painful for some and joyous for others. But no Gabriel Bryne. At least not yet.

Tonight is no different: Six games, many of them with direct effects on playoff seedings and clinchings, and many of them whose results will ripple into this weekend's finales. From the NHL, here's what's at stake for the Eastern Conference:

No. 3 Carolina Hurricanes can clinch the Southeast Division tonight if they beat Florida; they can clinch an Eastern Conference playoff berth tonight if they get one point against Florida and Philadelphia gets no points against New Jersey. Here's a hell of a stat: "The Hurricanes have won their last 13 home games against the Panthers, which represents the NHL's longest active home winning streak against one opponent."

No. 4 New Jersey Devils can clinch the Eastern Conference's No. 4 seed tonight if they beat Philadelphia or if they get one point against Philadelphia and NY Rangers get one; or no points against NY Islanders; or if NY Rangers get no points against NY Islanders. Of course, the Rangers have won three of the last four against the Isles.

No. 6 Ottawa Senators can clinch an Eastern Conference playoff berth tonight if they get at least one point against Boston; or if Carolina gets one or no points against Florida; or if Philadelphia gets one or no points against New Jersey. Whatever the scenario, it'll have to happen right at the Senators lose Daniel Alfredsson and Mike Fisher for "weeks."

No. 7 Boston Bruins can clinch an Eastern Conference playoff berth tonight if they beat Ottawa and either Carolina gets one or no points against Florida or Philadelphia gets one or no points against New Jersey; or if they get one point against Ottawa and Carolina gets no points against Florida. Everybody got that?

No. 9 Philadelphia Flyers can clinch an Eastern Conference playoff berth tonight if they beat New Jersey and Carolina gets no points against Florida.

Meanwhile, the Washington Post breaks down the several scenarios in which the Washington Capitals can make the postseason, finishing anywhere from third to eighth -- and much of it depending on Saturday's finale at home against Florida.

Over in the Western Conference, the No. 4 Anaheim Ducks (idle) can clinch the Western Conference's No. 4 seed tonight if Dallas gets no points against Phoenix. Which would then set up a four v. five series against the Stars, most likely.