Left for dead only a short while ago, the inconsistent Bruins find themselves on another streak that has the fans thinking playoffs again. Boston has bagged six points in their last three games, 10 in the last six and a solid 14 points in their last nine contests. Despite the excitement the recent run has generated, the Bruins sit in 12th in the East and face a daunting climb to the 8th and final playoff spot in the conference.
With 23 games remaining and sitting only five points out of a playoff bid, it does not seem to be impossible for the Bruins to reach the playoffs. Still it will be no easy task to overtake four teams in the final weeks of the season in order to secure the postseason bid. Currently the defending champion Carolina Hurricanes occupies the 8th spot in the East with 69 points through 63 games. The New York Islanders sit 9th with 68 points in 61 games and the rival Montreal Canadians are 7th with 70 points in 63 games. Judging from the current standings, it rationale to conclude that it will take 90 points to reach the playoffs in the East. For the Bruins to attain the 90 point plateau, they will need 28 points in the final 23 games; or a record of something like 12-7-4, not completely out of the realm of possibility, but a tall task for a team that carries the second worst goals differential in the Conference.
