The combined statistics translate into a 9-3 record and a chance to sew up a playoff slot with a victory over the Falcons tonight.

The teams' records are then cleared and another team will also clinch a playoff slot during the second half.

These are the leaders for each playoff slot, week by week.

But they must settle now for fifth place, 1 point behind the Rangers for the final playoff slot.

With the victory, the Islanders pulled back within 5 points of the eighth and final playoff slot with 22 games to play.

When the week began, the Knicks were celebrating their move into eighth place (the final playoff slot) and Thomas's extension.

Despite their 5-6 record, the Buccaneers held the tiebreaker advantage over the other six teams tied with them for the final wild-card playoff slot.

The Giants ended the day much the way they started it - in position for one of two wild-card playoff slots.

Given that a wild-card team has won the last three World Series, that playoff slot is not to be belittled.

Both teams are competing for the eighth and final playoff slot in the Eastern Conference.