Before the 2004-05 lockout, no team that had 90 or more points had been denied a ticket to the postseason.

But in the two years since the institution of the shootout, six teams have topped the 90-point mark only to finish below the elite eight in their conferences. This season, with three weeks remaining, promises more of the same.

If point production continues at its current pace, 93 should be enough to get off the bubble and into the playoffs — in both conferences. But for any team with 92 that bubble could burst.

"I remember when a lot of teams used to get in with 80 points," Flyers goaltender Martin Biron says. "You just had to be over .500 to get in."

Eastern Conference
Barring a late collapse, the Pittsburgh Penguins, Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils and Ottawa Senators are locks for four of the top five seeds. The Southeast winner, which is shaping up as a battle between the Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals, might be the only team from that division to get in.

The Tampa Bay Lightning are the only East team out of the playoff picture, but the prospects also look grim for the New York Islanders, Toronto Maple Leafs, Atlanta Thrashers and Florida Panthers.

That leaves six teams on the playoff bubble.

Hurricanes
When high-scoring forwards Rod Brind'Amour and Justin Williams gpt season-ending injuries, general manager Jim Rutherford dealt popular veterans Cory Stillman and Mike Commodore to the Senators for right winger Patrick Eaves and defenseman Joe Corvo -- and the Canes took off. Waiver wire pickup Sergei Samsonov would need to continue his near point-a-game pace and goalie Cam Ward would have to hold steady for Carolina to break out in the Southeast.
Prediction: In

Capitals
No team gave up less to get more at the trading deadline than the Caps, who picked up goalie Cristobal Huet, center Sergei Fedorov and left winger Matt Cooke for fourth-line left winger Matt Pettinger, defenseman Ted Ruth and a 2008 second-round pick. The addition of Fedorov will help Alexander Ovechkin, who is poised to become the first 60-goal scorer since 1995-96.
Prediction: Out

Bruins
Boston was one of four teams to stand pat at the deadline, which means center Phil Kessel and defenseman Mark Stuart were worth more to the Bruins than they were to teams in pursuit of them. The Bruins aren't loaded with star power, but they are balanced enough to get into the playoffs for the first time in four years.
Prediction: In

Rangers
After months of inconsistency, the Rangers are on a roll now that left winger Brendan Shanahan is healthy and rookie forwards Brandon Dubinsky and Nigel Dawes are getting big minutes. As long as goaltender Henrik Lundqvist stays sharp, the Rangers should earn their third straight postseason appearance.
Prediction: In

Flyers
With right winger Joffrey Lupul and defenseman Derian Hatcher back in the lineup and captain-in-waiting Mike Richards expected back soon, the Flyers should have enough depth to return to the playoffs after finishing with the league's worst record last season.
Prediction: In

Sabres
By stripping themselves of All-Star defenseman Brian Campbell, the Sabres sent a clear message they are rebuilding. That mindset will be hard to overcome as they push for the eighth seed.
Prediction: Out