Update: BUF now have only three games left (EDM, CGY, VAN) ahead of the all-star break, which will take them to 48 GP. After Saturday's loss to TBL, BUF are now 3-4 points behind both BOS and CBJ, who each have four games to play here, taking them to 49 and 48 GP respectively. Meanwhile, BUF's more direct wildcard competition at the moment each have more games to play here: MTL (5 to 51 GP), NYI (6 to 49), and CAR (6 to 50). This, of course, is an opportunity for those three teams to create some separation (MTL, NYI) or close ground (CAR), with NYI's two games-in-hand also getting played out here. Yes, BUF will have significant GIH on MTL (3) and CAR (2) at the break, but also will quickly pull even/close in games again following the break (CBJ, DAL, CHI).
CAR (vs NSH) won the first of their six games here to close their gap with BUF to only three points, while CBJ (vs NYR) and NYI (vs TBL) look to separate later today with any points. Tomorrow, MTL at BOS adds to their separation with any result, well for a few hours anyway, until BUF can try to get that back at EDM. CAR, CBJ, NYI wins, plus a three-point MTL win, is the worst scenario ahead of tomorrow's late faceoff.