Don't look now Carolina, the Boston Bruins have caught you.
The Hurricanes and Bruins are tied for eighth place in the Eastern Conference following Boston's 3-0 victory at Toronto and Carolina's 7-0 loss at Washington on Wednesday night.
With only six games remaining in the regular season, the race is on for the final playoff spot in the East. Unfortunately for the Hurricanes, they are not headed in the right direction.
"Hopefully, Carolina will keep on losing, and we'll keep on winning and we'll sneak in there," forward Joe Thornton said after the Bruins equaled Carolina's 79 points.
The Hurricanes were drubbed in their third straight loss.
Thornton had a goal and an assist and Bill Guerin and Brian Rolston also scored for the Bruins, 4-1-2 in their last seven games. Boston also closed within five points of Toronto for seventh place.
Olaf Kolzig made 18 saves for his fourth shutout of the season and 20th of his career for the Capitals, who moved 11 points ahead of the Hurricanes in the race for the Southeast Division title.
The teams meet again in Raleigh on Friday, and Washington needs just a tie to clinch the division.
RANGERS 4, ISLANDERS 2: Jan Hlavac had a goal and two assists, and Guy Hebert made 33 saves as the Rangers beat the Islanders at Madison Square Garden.
Petr Nedved, Michal Grosek and Manny Malhotra also scored for the Rangers, who snapped a three-game losing streak. Nedved reached 30 goals for the fourth time in his career.
RED WINGS 5, BLUES 2: Brendan Shanahan broke a tie with 24.4 seconds left in the second period, and Detroit went on to beat visiting St. Louis.
Shanahan reached 30 goals for the ninth time in his 14-season NHL career.
DEVILS 4, THRASHERS 2: Alexander Mogilny scored twice, including the go-ahead goal with about six minutes remaining, as New Jersey won its eighth straight road game.
The defending Stanley Cup champions, leading the Eastern Conference, are 15-1 in their last 16 games and extended the team record for consecutive victories away from home.
PANTHERS 2, CANADIENS 2: Oleg Petrov scored with 12.6 seconds left in regulation to lift Montreal to a tie at Florida.
Martin Rucinsky also scored for the Canadiens, 1-2-2 in their last five.
COYOTES 2, WILD 0: Shane Doan had two goals and Sean Burke made 29 saves to lead Phoenix over Minnesota.
The visiting Coyotes moved ahead of Los Angeles in the race for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Phoenix has 84 points and Los Angeles 82. San Jose is in seventh place, two points ahead of the Coyotes.
SENATORS 5, BLACKHAWKS 2: Shawn McEachern and Mike Sillinger each had a goal and an assist as Ottawa extended its unbeaten streak to five games with a win at Chicago.
Alexei Yashin's goal midway through the second period broke a 2-2 tie. Marian Hossa and Mike Fisher also connected for Ottawa, 4-0-1 in five contests and 6-1-1 in eight.
STARS 3, CANUCKS 1:Ted Donato scored twice and added an assist as Dallas won at Vancouver.
Jamie Langenbrunner had a goal and an assist for the Stars, undefeated in eight games (6-0-2).
OILERS 4, AVALANCHE 1: Ryan Smyth scored twice and Tommy Salo made 23 saves to lead Edmonton to a home victory over Colorado.
Ethan Moreau and Mike Grier also scored for the Oilers, who have won three of four.