from Rob Vollman at NHL.com,

There's a fierce battle for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference. The Boston Bruins hold the second wild card with 82 points, followed by the New York Islanders, who have 80 points and a game in hand. Each team trails the Toronto Maple Leafs, who are third in the Atlantic Division with 83 points with 10 games remaining.

If the standings remain this way, Toronto will make the playoffs for the second time since 2003-04, Boston will end a two-season absence, and New York will miss the playoffs for the first time in three seasons.

The Bruins and Maple Leafs have an edge in the standings and in most statistical categories, but neither team is out of the woods yet. The Islanders have been one of the NHL's best offensive teams since Doug Weight replaced Jack Capuano as coach Jan. 17, and the Tampa Bay Lightning, who are five behind the Bruins with 77 points, are one of several teams within striking distance if some should fade down the stretch.

Let's break down the numbers behind each team's key advantage.

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