61.   The matter-of-fact tone in which Patrick Ewing spoke four words Wednesday did not conceal a rare admission and its potential impact on the playoff hopes of his team.

62.   The Lions need to keep winning to keep their playoff hopes alive.

63.   The Patriots cannot afford a slipup Sunday against the Buffalo Bills if they want to keep their playoff hopes off life support.

64.   The Rangers, another of the Old Six teams, see their playoff hopes fading and are very likely to get a high draft choice in the NHL lottery.

65.   The Red Sox playoff hopes soon followed.

66.   The Packers still have slim playoff hopes.

67.   The Revolution have discovered a winning touch too late to salvage their playoff hopes.

68.   The playoffs are two months away, but the Ducks know their playoff hopes are on the line right now.

69.   The Revolution displayed some resilience, though, and the addition of Leonel Alvarez in defensive midfield could allow them to regain their playoff hopes.

70.   The Revolution revived their playoff hopes and escaped last place in the Eastern Conference Saturday night.