Win and they're in (or get to overtime and they're in)

What a fantastic night for hockey Friday. Ottawa loses but gets in the playoffs. Washington doesn't play, but are in much better shape to make the playoffs now then they were to start the day. All they need is a point in their game vs. Florida - the team that ruined Carolina's chances. Boston and Philly are both in the playoffs as well, but with one game to go for several teams, none of the first round match ups have been decided.

With the top spot in the East still up for grabs and the Southeast undecided, there are a variety of ways in which the first round might shape up.

Let's take a look at these possibilities because it is both fun and confusing!

If Philly wins, the Senators will be the 7th seed and take on either Montreal or Pittsburgh. The Pens and Habs are currently tied with one game to play with Pittsburgh having the tiebreaker edge because of more wins. The only way Montreal can grab top spot, is if Pittsburgh loses and they gain one point or if they win and Pittsburgh losses in a shootout or overtime. Bottom line: if Pittsburgh wins tomorrow night, they clinch top spot. The Rangers and Devils will play one another, but home ice is still to be decided. Should Philly gain only one point, Ottawa takes the 6th seed and plays Washington or Carolina. A Caps-Sens first round match up would be a dandy. Should Philly win, they take on the Southeast winner.

Those are just some of the possibilities in the East right now. Those are the highest amount of probabilities my head can take right now. As long as we don't see a Washington-Boston first round series, I will be happy. Washington works so hard down the stretch and excites fans every night, only to play the dullest, listless team in the NHL. They will sit back and trap and take all the fun out of the Caps' game. I'm getting a bit ahead of myself here I suppose. Let's just enjoy the action tonight and see how everything shapes up.

The west isn't quite as confusing however. The top 4 seeds have been decided (Detroit, San Jose, Minnesota & Anaheim respectively) but a couple of possibilities remain in the bottom half. Detroit will play Nashville and Anaheim will play Dallas, those are set. If Colorado earns 1 point in their final game against Minnesota, they will play the Wild and Calgary will play San Jose. If Colorado loses in regulation and Calgary wins, Calgary plays Minnesota. The Wild are a good team and can make some noise in the playoffs, but there's no way the Flames want to play the Sharks, maybe the best team in the NHL right now.

Enough with probabilities, let's just play the games. It should be a fun final weekend of the season and an even better playoffs.