from Pierre LeBrun of ESPN,

Who comes out of the parity-filled East?

The Philadelphia Flyers won again Sunday, and along with the surprising Carolina Hurricanes have put themselves into a wide-open playoff race.

You've got the Washington Capitals standing alone atop the conference so we'll just forget about the Caps, but the Florida Panthers lead the Atlantic Divison with 57 points and are still very much in sight. Then you've got 11 other teams in the conference separated by just six points. My goodness.

This parity is what commissioner Gary Bettman wanted when he implemented the salary cap 11 years ago. Can the Hurricanes and Flyers really make the playoffs? Philadelphia is getting terrific goaltending, and it wouldn't surprise me if they stay in the mix. The Hurricanes are being led by their young blue line, which is shaping up to be some kind of group for years ago come. I still think, however, that it may be too much to ask for the 'Canes this season.

more on the East from the ESPN hockey crew...