1.   And there is something of a battle going on for the final playoff roster spot.

2.   But no deals appear imminent, and on current form, the Revolution must plan to hold off Columbus for the final playoff spot.

3.   But now, Beard is having trouble digesting the fact that the majority of his players have no idea they are in a fight for the final playoff spot.

4.   Calgary, which lost the final playoff spot to the Kings last week, continued its free fall Thursday.

5.   Colorado Avalanche center Stephane Yelle will miss the Western Conference final playoff series against the Detroit Red Wings after undergoing knee surgery, the team said.

6.   Even after their eight-game unbeaten streak, they still only held the eighth and final playoff spot.

7.   Even before their final playoff series, the players had already a love-hate relationship with Ewing.

8.   He was hurt going into their final playoff game in Pittsburgh, and then suffered a broken foot on the first play of the game.

9.   His rookie season ended with an injured right knee that kept him on the bench in the final half of the final playoff game at Boston Garden.

10.   In the final week of the regular season most of the suspense concerns the final playoff places in the Eastern Conference.