ESPN ESPN.com NHL Blog

Posted by Scott Burnside and Pierre LeBrun

Editor's note: As we count down to the start of the playoffs, our experts will debate the possibilities for teams fighting for postseason position. Check out our Faceoff: Countdown to the Playoffs all this week heading into Sunday's regular-season finale.

Scott Burnside: Bon matin, mon ami. (That's French for "Good morning, my friend.") Well, a ton of action last night, and the playoff picture remains as murky as ever. Huge losses for the Canadiens and Panthers, and it looks as though the New York Rangers can breathe much easier today, as they sit two points ahead of Florida with two games in hand plus the tiebreaker in wins. That means Florida has to outpoint the Rangers to overtake them.

The real issue is the injury-riddled Habs. They are without defensemen Mathieu Schneider and Andrei Markov and could miss the playoffs if they lose their final two games against Boston and Pittsburgh and if the Panthers knock off Atlanta and Washington. Neither the Thrashers nor the Capitals have much to play for, and the Capitals are pretty much locked into the second seed in the Eastern Conference.

But let's look West, as the shocking St. Louis Blues continue their assault on an unlikely playoff berth. They looked to have had the hardest road with six of their last seven on the road, but they are eighth after beating Phoenix 5-1 and after Nashville lost a 4-2 heartbreaker at home. Don't really believe there's such a thing as destiny when it comes to playoff berths, but gee, the Blues sure look as though they have it with Dallas Stars castoff B.J. Crombeen scoring twice last night.

Pierre LeBrun: To me, the impressive part is how the Blues responded from their Saturday night loss in Dallas, a game in which they blew a third-period lead. Phoenix even opened the scoring last night, but St. Louis charged back. The Blues look so confident, and star winger Paul Kariya could return in time for the first round. I can't imagine that San Jose or Detroit is that excited about playing a Blues team that has barely lost a game since midseason. The eighth-seeded Oilers reached the Cup finals in 2006, and this is a better Blues team. I'm just saying. ...

The Preds lost a big one at home to Chicago last night. Like a race car reaching the finish line on fumes, Nashville may be running out of gas. What a gutsy effort by that team given all the injuries. But they're in a tough spot now. Speaking of that, the Blue Jackets can clinch their first playoff berth with a single point tonight against Chicago.

Burnside: Yes, look for Steve Mason to get the call once again as he makes a case to be on three ballots this spring -- Vezina, Calder and Hart. And kudos to coach Ken Hitchcock and GM Scott Howson for cobbling together a team that defied skeptics (myself included) and will not just squeak into the playoffs but could cause some grief for a team such as Vancouver or Calgary in the first round. Antoine Vermette has proven to be a more than useful addition, coming over from Ottawa at the trade deadline and helping out the penalty kill and the power play.

And how about Jason Williams, jettisoned by Atlanta, ostensibly for financial reasons? He's been a nice addition to a power play that has struggled all season. I figure the Blue Jackets will sew up the sixth seed even though Anaheim can mathematically catch them. That sets up an interesting battle with the Northwest Division winner, but who will it be? Vancouver pulled itself off the mat with a big win over Calgary at home Tuesday night, but neither will be hitting the postseason on a tear. Behind a reborn Nikolai Khabibulin, Chicago has pretty much locked up home ice in the first round, so both Western Canadian teams will have their hands full, whether they face Columbus or Chicago.

LeBrun: I disagree with you on Vancouver. Aside from a brief three-game meltdown, few teams in the NHL have been better since Feb. 1. I still believe the Canucks can challenge any team in the West. A three-game slide doesn't undo two months of red-hot hockey. I wouldn't want to play the Canucks in the first round if I were Chicago or Columbus.

But going back to the earlier point, it is important to underline what the Jackets are on the verge of accomplishing. Go back to last offseason, and it was clear Howson and Hitchcock faced tremendous pressure from ownership to get this team to its first playoff. That explained some overspending on guys such as Mike Commodore and Kristian Huselius, but the team had to overspend to lure free agents.

I'm also happy for a solid hockey market that has been extremely patient for nearly a decade. Now, Jackets fans will get a chance to make themselves heard in a playoff series ... if Columbus earns one more point in the standings. Speaking of points in the standings, looks as though Philly might grab that ever-important home-ice spot with the fourth seed in the East.

Burnside: Well, the Canucks, who traditionally have been underachievers in the playoffs, will have to prove they can get it done in the postseason. I'm not sure they are the great threat many believe they are. As for the Flyers, they still have Carolina nipping at their heels after the Canes' 9-0 thrashing of the Isles last night. The Pens also won but look destined to face New Jersey in the first round. The fourth seed in the East is like gold, given how well all three teams -- Philly, Carolina and Pittsburgh -- play at home. And what's up with the Devils' getting routed by the Leafs? Yikes. Let's see how it shakes out tomorrow, my friend. Remember your sunblock.

LeBrun: Thanks for mentioning the Hurricanes. They are tied with Philly, although the orange team has a game in hand on Carolina. I'm not sure enough people have noticed how amazing Cam Ward has been for the Hurricanes in the second half of the season. The goalie has been unconscious. Oh, and I think he's had a taste of playoff success before. Might he be the difference in a Carolina-Philadelphia playoff series? Food for thought as I contemplate sandals or running shoes today. Talk to you tomorrow, big guy.