51.   This could have been a showdown with San Jose for the final playoff berth in the Western Conference.

52.   This is what the roller-coaster clubhouse atmosphere of a fight for the final playoff spot feels like.

53.   They still are eight points behind the Boston Bruins for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

54.   This season, the Sharks probably will slip in with the final playoff spot but are expected to go out in the first round.

55.   They trail both Boston and Miami for the final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference.

56.   They win five of the next six to battle for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

57.   Westphal said last week that, without Perry, the Suns might have been fighting with Denver and Sacramento for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

58.   With the season nearly half over and the Kings are not far from the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, the wakup call is out.

59.   With eight games remaining, two against Boston, the Nets fell four games behind the Celtics in the race for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

60.   Adam Oates added two goals for the Bruins, who went into the game tied with Tampa Bay for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.