NHL teams make final playoff push

With the trade deadline passed and little more than a week left in the NHL season, the teams left in the playoff race find themselves jockeying for a superior position in postseason play. Here's an update on how the top contenders stand.\nEastern Conference\nThe Ottawa Senators have the pole position in the East with 100 points at press time. Their offense has been particularly potent throughout the year, as they have scored eight goals in a game three times this year, including twice in the past month. With Alexei Yashin, Marian Hossa and Radek Bonk providing offensive fireworks, Ottawa's primary concern was defense. With the addition of defenseman Curtis Leschyshyn from Minnesota, this concern was addressed. But Bonk broke his thumb Saturday and will be out for three to six weeks. To make a run, the Senators will need another player to step up on offense.\nFew teams have been able to run with the New Jersey Devils this season -- particularly recently -- as they have won 13 of their last 14 games. The defending Stanley Cup champs are right behind Ottawa with 99 points and feature essentially the same cast that brought them the hardware last year. \nThe Washington Capitals own the third spot in the East by holding the Southeast Division lead with 88 points. As always, the Caps will look to goalie Olaf Kolzig to carry the team's playoff aspirations. By adding forwards Dainuis Zubrus and Trevor Linden from Montreal, they also look to shore up their sometimes catatonic offense.\nWith 93 points, the Philadelphia Flyers have the fourth spot in the East and again are a force. Even though Eric Lindros has held out all year, Mark Recchi, Keith Primeau and Simon Gagne have made big offensive contributions. Now they must hope that goalie Roman Cechmanek will be able to continue his successful play in his first NHL playoff appearance.\nThe Buffalo Sabres are breathing down the Flyers necks with 90 points. Dominik Hasek has continued to age like Dick Clark and leads the league with 10 shutouts. The Sabres also carry loaded offensive weapons such as Donald Audette and J.P. Dumont.\nWestern Conference\nSimply put, the Colorado Avalanche are stacked, and it is no mystery that they lead the league with 111 points and have won their division for the seventh consecutive year. Joe Sakic leads the league with 108 points and a mind-blowing 46-plus rating (his line has scored 46 more goals than it has given up). They also have four other 25-plus goal scorers. The Avs defense features two greats in Ray Bourque and Rob Blake, and they also have one of the best playoff goalies of all-time, Patrick Roy.\nCoach Scotty Bowman once again has his Detroit Red Wings in the thick of things, as they now have 103 points. Captain Steve Yzerman and the rest of the Wings have about as much playoff experience as Strom Thurmond has Senate experience, which in simple terms is a lot more than anybody else, and will be a big boost for an already hot team.\nThe always-potent Dallas Stars lead the Pacific Division with 95 points and look to defend their Western Conference title. With Mike Modano and Brett Hull doing the scoring and Derian Hatcher providing the hits, the Stars can skate with anyone. Ultimately, their success hinges on the play of netminder Ed Belfour.\nThe St. Louis Blues went through much of the season as the best team in the league, but they have a 2-6-4 record in their past 12 games, though they still have 98 points. The Blues woes have been a result of injuries to key players like Chris Pronger and Tyson Nash. But with the addition of forward Keith Tkachuk via trade, the Blues can still make a playoff run.\nThe Edmonton Oilers have 87 points and have won seven of their last 11 games. Their attack is led by the dangerous center Doug Weight and capable goaltender Tommy Salo.\nFor the first time since 1995-96, the Vancouver Canucks are back in the playoff hunt. The Canucks sit with 87 points. Markus Naslund leads the Canucks offense with 41 goals, but Vancouver must overcome abominable goaltending by Bob Essensa and Dan Cloutier.