The East: What remains...

Metropolitan
Washington: 11gms (5h 6a). 6 vs PO teams. 6-3-1 last 10. current points: 107. projected: 122
Pittsburgh: 10gms (4h 6a). 5 vs PO teams. 8-2-0 last 10. current points: 88. projected: 103
New York Islanders: 12gms (8h 4a). 5 vs PO teams. 5-3-2 last 10. current points: 85. projected: 100

Atlantic
Florida: 10gms (4h 6a). 3 vs PO teams. 5-4-1 last 10. current points: 89. projected: 100
Tampa Bay: 10gms (6h 4a). 5 vs PO teams. 5-4-1 last 10. current points: 87. projected: 97
Boston: 9gms (4h 5a). 5 vs PO teams. 5-4-1 last 10. current points: 86. projected: 95

Wild cards
New York Rangers: 10gms (7h 3a). 6 vs PO teams. 4-4-2 last 10. current points: 88. projected: 99
Detroit: 10gms (5h 5a). 4 vs PO teams. 5-4-1 last 10. current points: 83. projected: 95

in the hunt
Philadelphia: 12gms (5h 7a). 6 vs PO teams. 7-2-1 last 10. current points: 80. projected: 94


* the Caps have gotten only 2 goals from Alexandre Ovechkin in their last 10. If he's injured, this bad. Otherwise, it may be a positive spin on the Caps getting those three loses.

* the Pens have been getting stellar production from Sidney Crosby. But Carl Hagelin is certainly helping things. Patric Hornqvist and Kris Letang are playing well too. If Evgeny Malkin returns from injury and only adds - this team could win the East in the playoffs.

* Rick Nash has done nothing in his 5 games back...and not much more for the season. Ugh. Ryan McDonagh is doing all he can. But this team needs scoring. For all the negative feelings on Dan Girardi he's not a negative plus/minus in March. Marc Staal, Dan Boyle and Keith Yandle are -4, -4, and -12 respectively. The Rangers are not getting goals without giving up easier chances for the opponents.

* Florida is getting production from a few different sources. Vincent Trochek and Jussi Jokinen are leading in March with 11 and 10 points respectively. They are similar to the Rangers though, when they go after goals, they often give up more.

* Tampa Bay is getting no scoring from the third and fourth lines - the top two lines are getting some scoring but it will take another line in there and Victor Hedman and Anton Stralman will have to step up too.

* Brad Marchand was on a tear, but he's 2 goals and 6points in the last 10 games. Patrice Bergeron has been consistent with 5g/8pts in this time. Zdeno Chara is still putting in big minutes but no scoring - showing signs of aging?

* the Isles are in a good position, but they will have to beat the lesser teams. Kyle Okposo has been the leader in goals and points with 4g and 9pts in the 10 games of March. John Tavares is playing well but only 6pts in these 10 games.

* Detroit is struggling to score. Justin Abdelkader is leading them with 7pts in March. No one has more than 3 goals in this stretch. The lack of depth and aging skilled players might have caught them. If Philly continues their strong run, Detroit is out of the playoffs.

* The Flyers have spread out the scoring. And at the same time they aren't letting a lot of easy goals by. Still I expect Claude Giroux to score more - only 5 pts in the 8 games of March. Regardless, things are going right for them. Wayne Simmonds and Sean Couturier keep make this team very tough to play against.