41.   The Sonics must get on a serious roll if they want to influence the race for the final playoff spot.

42.   The victory enabled the Kings to remain within seven points of San Jose, which holds the final playoff berth in the Western Conference.

43.   The victory provided much-needed relief for the Sonics as they remained in the thick of a race for the final Western Conference playoff spot.

44.   The Whalers this season have made several trades and are still trying to assemble their lineup while chasing the final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference.

45.   Their fingers were crossed for the Hurricanes to lose, which meant there would be an opening for them to sneak into the final playoff spot in the East.

46.   They are six points out of the final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference.

47.   They are six points behind the Rangers in the hunt for the final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference.

48.   They barely cling to the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

49.   They fell into a tie for the final playoff spot.

50.   They were no longer scratching for that final playoff spot, they were taking it to teams.