As the NHL season begins the final stretch run towards the post-season, fans around the league cannot help but notice the race for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

As of March 8, there are five teams that are in legitimate contention for a birth into the second season: Toronto, Carolina, Montreal, the New York Rangers, Boston and Florida. Also, if the New York Islanders are put into consideration, they are only seven points away from the thirteenth place Florida Panthers.

All of which leads to the conclusion that the final two weeks of the NHL season are going to be worth watching.

Although there are a significant amount of teams jostling for position, the reality of the situation is that there are only two positions available for a birth into the playoffs, and the separation between teams who are on a lucky run and legitimate contenders will be differentiated within this selection.

Here's a look at the teams in contention in the East.

* The New York Islanders will be put under the radar. General Manager Garth Snow made one of the most significant trade-deadline day moves in franchise history by acquiring Ryan Smyth from the Edmonton Oilers for next to nothing. The hard nosed and passionate Smyth will bring an element of grit and determination into the Island, and with a supporting cast of Jason Blake, Trent Hunter, the rejuvenated Mike Sillinger and a potentially healthy Alexei Yashin, the Islanders look fit for their first post-season birth since the 03-04 season.

However, they will only go as far as 15 year man Rick DiPietro will take them, and with the way he has been performing recently, there should be no doubt that the Islanders will be a part of the post-season.

* The New York Rangers have suddenly become playoff contenders because they are actually beginning to play as a unit, as opposed to placing the load upon the broad, although withering, shoulders of Jaromir Jagr. A balanced scoring attack, which includes Martin Straka, Michael Nylander and the injured Brendan Shanahan has allowed the Rangers to make the push.

However, the high spirits in the big apple will be short lived. The Rangers are a hot and cold team and unfortunately do not have the defensive depth to make a legitimate playoff run. Also, goalie Henrik Lundqvist has had some forgettable moments this year.

When all things are considered, the Rangers are two defensemen away from making a lot of Eastern Conference teams sweat, but this year the sweat, blood and tears that they have shown will come up just short of the post-season.

* The defending Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes. The Hurricanes surprised everybody last year by finishing second in the Eastern Conference with 112 points, and eventually reaching the pinnacle of their success by hoisting the Stanley Cup. This year, however, has been a constant struggle for the champions. Eric Staal, who emerged as a legitimate All-Star last year by hitting the century mark in points, has not returned to form this year. Rod Brind'Amour has shown that age is a non-factor as he is second on the team in scoring, three points behind crafty winger Ray Whitney.

The issue with the "Canes" this season has been behind their blue line, they lack a solid defenseman and Cam Ward has not lived up to his Conn Smythe winning capabilities. The Hurricanes should be in the playoffs, but it seems that this year's version of the team has not yet found the precise slipper to go for another Cinderella run.

* The Montreal Canadiens are probably one of the most exciting teams to watch in the NHL. They contain a lethal mixture of youth, speed, talent and veteran leadership, so why is it that they find themselves on the outside looking in for the Eastern Conference playoff picture?

Two words can answer the question: Cristobal Huet. The number one goaltender for the "Habs" went down with a serious hamstring injury that looked painful when it happened, and ever since then the Canadiens have found it difficult to remain consistent in the win column. David Aebischer proved himself to be a number one goaltender in Colorado, but he has been a disappointment in Montreal thus far, and when the burden is placed upon a rookie call-up (Jaroslav Halak) to perform, that can lead to the type of situation Montreal is in now. Unless David Aebischer comes to his senses and begins to play to his ability, I do not see "Les Habitants" and their wonderful fans being a part of the post-season festivities for the 2006-2007 season.

* At the All-Star break, the Boston Bruins were a team that nobody would have believed to be in the position they are in now. Yet, with the likes of Zdeno Chara, Marc Savard, Patrice Bergeron and Phil Kessel, why would the Boston Bruins not be considered for contention?

The beginning of the season saw difficult times for the Bruins, but they have found a comfort zone within their dressing room which makes them very dangerous to their oppositions. However, their push for the playoffs will unfortunately come short, and all because of the individual dwelling between the pipes. Tim Thomas has shown flashes of brilliance this season, but has also shown that he can be completely out of position in many different scenarios during a game.

Unless the Bruins goaltender begins to tighten up on his positional skills, the Bruins will not be a legitimate contender. Watch for Boston's managerial staff to go after a number one goaltender in the off-season, and if they do acquire one, the Bruins will be in top contention in the Eastern Conference next year.

* The Florida Panthers have shown that their future is bright, and with the youngsters in their lineup they are making a run for the post-season. Ed Belfour has shown that he can still compete in the NHL, and Oli Jokinen has had the team on his shoulders for the entire season. However, they do not have the depth that is required, with Jokinen and Nathan Horton leading the offensive charge and solely Jay Bouwmeester on the defensive end, the Panthers roster is slightly thin to be a playoff team.

* That leaves the Toronto Maple Leafs as the team that will be in the top eight of the Eastern Conference once it is all said and done. The Leafs have had many ups and downs this season, and with a plethora of injuries and inconsistent play from their stars, the Leafs find themselves currently in 10th place in the Eastern Conference with 73 points.

The reason as to why it will be the Leafs in the playoffs and not the others fighting for position is because the Leafs are beginning to get healthy at the right time. Darcy Tucker just recently returned, and Kyle Wellwood is set to return on Saturday against the Senators, and the acquisition of Yanic Perreault can only improve the offensive and face-off winning capabilities of the team. Andrew Raycroft has proven himself to be the number one man in Toronto, and with the likes of Pavel Kubina, Bryan McCabe and a possible return from Tomas Kaberle after the devastating hit to the head, the leafs should be poised for a birth in the playoffs.

Although the Leafs roster contains some potent offensive artists, the team's confidence and momentum is solely based upon the "C" placed strategically upon Mats Sundin's shoulders. When Sundin gets going, the team gets going, but if he has an off-night, it is evident amongst the whole team. If Sundin can re-obtain some of the magic he had shown in the beginning of the year, the Toronto Maple Leafs will be in the playoffs.

NHL hockey is one of the most exciting forms of sports entertainment for fans and players, and this race to the post-season is just another indication of why hockey is the best game on earth.