By ,
Published September 19, 2015
The Philadelphia Flyers continued to lose their grip of first place of both the Eastern Conference and the Atlantic Division on Sunday.
Philadelphia was demolished in a 7-0 loss to the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, which means the Flyers remained just two points ahead of both the Boston Bruins in the East and the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Atlantic. It marks the Flyers’ first four-game losing streak of the season.
Also, the Buffalo Sabres moved into the top eight by winning in overtime at Minnesota. The victory moved Buffalo one point ahead of Carolina, which doesn’t play again until Wednesday.
Here's a look at how the races in each conference shape up after Sunday’s action:
Eastern Conference
Division leaders
Philadelphia (86 points after Sunday’s 7-0 loss to the Rangers) has now dropped four in a row for the following the embarrassment suffered at Madison Square Garden. With just a two-point lead atop the Eastern Conference and the Atlantic Division, the Flyers will try to stop the skid on Tuesday against Edmonton at the Wells Fargo Center.
Boston (84 points) was idle on Sunday. The Bruins, who trail Philadelphia by just two points for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, visit Montreal on Tuesday night. The Habs trail Boston by five points in the Northeast Division.
Washington (82 points after Sunday’s 3-2 overtime win at Florida) moved into first place in the Southeast Division when Alexander Semin beat Scott Clemmensen in the opening minute of overtime at the BankAtlantic Center. With their division lead on the line, the Caps now head to Tampa Bay for a showdown with the Bolts on Monday.
The next five:
Pittsburgh (84 points) remains just two points behind Philadelphia in the Atlantic Division thanks to the Flyers’ loss in New York on Sunday. The Penguins host Buffalo on Tuesday night.
Tampa Bay (81 points) was also off on Sunday, but still fell from the No. 3 seed to No. 5 due to Washington’s win at Florida. The Bolts, who dropped games to New Jersey, Boston and the Canadiens in a four-night span, host Washington on Monday night.
Montreal (79 points) was idle on Sunday. The Canadiens continue their pursuit of the Northeast Division leading Bruins on Tuesday night, when they’ll host Boston at the Bell Centre.
New York Rangers (74 points after Sunday’s 7-0 win against Philadelphia) picked up two huge points as they crushed the reeling Flyers at Madison Square Garden behind a four-goal performance by Ryan Callahan. The Blueshirts begin a two-game trip to California on Wednesday at Anaheim.
Buffalo (72 points after Sunday’s 3-2 overtime win at Minnesota) moved into playoff position thanks to an overtime goal by Drew Stafford at the Xcel Energy Center. The Sabres, who are 6-0-1 in their last seven road games, will look to make it three in a row on Tuesday at Pittsburgh.
On the outside looking in:
Carolina (71 points) doesn't play until Wednesday – meaning that all the 'Canes can do is sit and hope for help. They didn’t receive any Sunday, when the Rangers, Sabres and Devils all won.
Toronto (67 points) was idle on Sunday. The Leafs will try to get back on track on Tuesday night against the Islanders at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
Atlanta (65 points) did not play Sunday. The Thrashers are off until a must-win game at Carolina on Wednesday.
New Jersey (64 points after Sunday’s 3-2 shootout win against the Islanders) moved within a point of 11th place and eight points of the final playoff spot with its fourth straight win. The Devils will aim to make it five in a row on Tuesday when they host Ottawa at the Prudential Center.
Western Conference
Division leaders:
Vancouver (93 points after Sunday's 3-0 win at Anaheim) continued its winning ways in Southern California as Cory Schneider made 26 saves and blanked the Ducks. Now seven points ahead in the race for the No. 1 seed, the Canucks will play at Phoenix on Tuesday.
Detroit (86 points) was off on Sunday. Losers of three straight (0-1-2), the Red Wings host Los Angeles on Wednesday.
San Jose (82 points) was idle Sunday. The Sharks, who had their eight-game winning streak snapped by Dallas on Saturday, will host Nashville on Tuesday night.
The next five:
Chicago (80 points) did not play Sunday. The Blackhawks, who have won eight in a row to move into fourth place, visit Florida on Tuesday and Tampa Bay on Wednesday.
Calgary (79 points after Sunday’s 3-2 win against Nashville) moved into fifth place in the West after earning its second straight victory. Winners in seven of their last 10 games, the Flames visit Dallas on Wednesday night.
Phoenix (78 points) was idle on Sunday. The Coyotes, who trail San Jose by four points for the Pacific Division lead, host Vancouver on Tuesday.
Dallas (77 points) did not play Sunday. The Stars will play at Los Angeles on Monday night before beginning a seven-game homestand.
Los Angeles (76 points) was idle on Sunday. L.A. finishes a six-game homestand by hosting Dallas on Monday, then plays four in a row on the road.
On the outside looking in:
Minnesota (75 points) moved into a virtual three-way tie for ninth place with Sunday’s 3-2 overtime loss to Buffalo at the Xcel Energy Center. The Wild will host Colorado on Tuesday in a game that can be seen on Versus in the U.S. and TSN2 in Canada.
Anaheim (75 points) failed to pick up any points in the standings Sunday night in a 3-0 loss to Vancouver at the Honda Center. It snapped a three-game winning streak for the Ducks, who host the Rangers on Wednesday.
Nashville (75 points) also came up empty Sunday night, as it suffered a 3-2 loss at Calgary. Just 3-5-2 in their last 10 games, the Predators visit San Jose on Tuesday before starting a five-game homestand.
Columbus (69 points) finishes a five-game trip in St. Louis on Monday. The Blue Jackets will be looking to avoid a three-game losing streak.
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/flyers-cant-create-distance-sabres-move-into-eighth