21.   Goaltender Bill Ranford, on whom the Bruins pin a great many playoff hopes, left the ice early because of his balky right ankle.

22.   He did not return, and the Nets could only hope he did not take their playoff hopes with him.

23.   Has to cripple their suspect playoff hopes.

24.   He is risking injuries, toying with playoff hopes, engraving an asterisk on the Stanley Cup.

25.   If he beats the Patriots twice in the next three weeks, he will most certainly end their playoff hopes.

26.   If they come out angry, it may be manifested in chippy and fight-inducing play, which is neither good for the game or their playoff hopes.

27.   If the Buccaneers lose this game then their playoff hopes are likely extinguished.

28.   In a game that the Nets themselves had said was vital to their playoff hopes, they came out lifeless for a half.

29.   In a disappointing season, with playoff hopes fading, it is easy to overlook improvements and positive changes on a team like the New York Rangers.

30.   In other words, any playoff hopes the Kings still have are purely mathematical.