Breaking down Flyers and their opponents in playoff race

Give the Flyers credit for climbing back into the Eastern Conference playoff hunt.

Yes, they have sputtered at times - especially against weaker teams -  but they have gained nine points in the playoff race since Jan. 16, inching to within four points of Boston for the final berth in the Eastern Conference.

The Flyers, who play their most important game of the season Saturday afternoon in Boston, are one of five teams battling to win the final playoff spot. Florida and rampaging Ottawa have the toughest remaining schedules, and there are many head-to-head matchups between contenders that will play a major role in determining who gets a chance to play for the Stanley Cup.

Six of Boston's final 19 games are against teams trying to earn the last playoff spot, including three with Florida.

Ottawa, which is five points behind the Bruins, has the most games left (20) and the most at home (11) and is a very dangerous team.

The Flyers are hoping their final game of the season - at home against the Senators - has some meaning. But, starting Saturday in Boston, they have a lot of work to do to make that happen.

Here are the teams in the hunt and their schedule highlights:

BOSTON (72 points).

Games left: 19.

Games vs. teams in a playoff spot: 10.

Games vs. teams not in a playoff spot: 9.

Home: 8.

Away: 11.

Key games against those fighting for the last playoff spot: vs. Flyers Saturday; at Ottawa Tuesday; at Ottawa March 19; at Florida March 21; vs. Florida March 31; at Florida April 9.

FLORIDA (70 points)

Games left: 17.

Games vs. teams in a playoff spot: 12.

Games vs. teams not in a playoff spot: 5.

Home: 10.

Away: 7.

Key games against those fighting for the last playoff spot: vs. Boston March 21; at Ottawa March 29; at Boston March 31; vs. Boston April 9.

FLYERS (68 points)

Games left: 17.

Games vs. teams in a playoff spot: 9.

Games vs. teams not in a playoff spot: 8.

Home: 8.

Away: 9.

Key games against those fighting for the last playoff spot: at Boston Saturday; at New Jersey Sunday; at Ottawa March 15; vs. Ottawa March 17.

OTTAWA (67 points)

Games left: 20.

Games vs. teams in a playoff spot: 11.

Games vs. teams not in a playoff spot: 9.

Home: 11.

Away: 9.

Key games against those fighting for the last playoff spot: vs. Boston Tuesday; vs. Flyers March 15; vs. Boston March 19; vs. Florida at Flyers on April 11.

NEW JERSEY (64 points)

Games left: 18.

Games vs. teams in a playoff spot: 9.

Games vs. teams not in a playoff spot: 9.

Home: 8.

Away: 10.

Key games against those fighting for the last playoff spot: vs. Flyers Sunday; at Florida April 11.

Follow Sam Carchidi on Twitter @BroadStBull.