Tim Thomas and the Boston Bruins coasted to a 3-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday afternoon, giving them 103 points on the season and moving them within one point of second place Philadelphia.
If the playoffs began today, Boston (46-24-11) would face the Montreal Canadiens (43-30-8; 94 points) in the first round of the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Montreal owns a 4-2-0 record against Boston this season.
With one game left in the regular season, the Bruins could move up to the second seed in the Eastern Conference if they defeat the New Jersey Devils on Sunday and the Flyers lose to the New York Islanders on Saturday. If they do so, the Bruins may face the Buffalo Sabres (42-29-10), who are seventh in the East with 94 points.
Here's a look at the complete Eastern Conference standings as of Saturday afternoon.
- Washington Capitals (48-22-11; 107 points)
- Philadelphia Flyers (46-23-13; 104 points)
- Boston Bruins (46-24-11; 103 points)
- Pittsburgh Penguins (48-25-8; 104 points)
- Tampa Bay Lightning (45-25-11; 101 points)
- Montreal Canadiens (43-30-8; 94 points)
- Buffalo Sabres (42-29-10; 94 points)
- New York Rangers (44-33-5; 93 points)