Little wiggle room for Leafs in chase for playoff spot

A year after introducing a salary cap, the National Hockey League has achieved its goal of leveling the playing field.

With the exception of the first-place Buffalo Sabres (34-14-4) and the last place Philadelphia Flyers (12-32-6), there are no dominant or inferior teams in the Eastern Conference. Instead, the standings are awash with middling teams that have the ability to win one night and lose the next.

Perhaps that is why only 10 points separate the sixth-place Hurricanes from the 13th-place Bruins and Panthers. And why only four points divide the Penguins, Lightning, Maple Leafs, Rangers and Islanders.

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