On Tuesday night, the New York Rangers 5-3 defeat of the Philadelphia Flyers clinches home-ice advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs.
The win allows the Rangers to rest some players over the next week if head coach John Tortarella doesn't care about the Presidents Trophy all that much. With games against the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals left, it will be interesting to see how it's handled.
The standings are as follows in the East:
1) New York - 109 points
2) Boston - 98 points
3) Florida - 92 points
4) Pittsburgh - 104 points
5) Philadelphia - 101 points
6) New Jersey - 98 points
7) Ottawa - 92 points
8) Washington - 88 points
Below New York, a few spots remain up for grabs. Florida believe it or not could actually miss the playoffs if it lost both remaining games and both Buffalo and Washington won theirs.
The Capitals and Sabres are in a tie for the eighth seed (Washington wins the tiebreaker) which is easily the most heated and nervous race in the East.
All of the other squads have sewn up playoff berths, with the Rangers and Boston the only two completely locked into their current seed.
For more on the Rangers, be sure to check out our blog Blueshirt Banter and SB New York for all the latest news and updates.