The Eastern Conference standings have been extremely tight all season long when it comes to the playoff race. Even with some recent streaks spreading out the conference, there are still only 7 points separating seeds 1 through 7 as of today. The recent stretch saw many teams in the race add to their rosters, lets look below at what each playoff contender did:

1. Pittsburgh (80 points through 63 games)
Added:
G - Thatcher Demko
C - Jeff Carter
LW - Blake Coleman
D - Dylan Demelo

The Pens took care of one their bigger holes in adding 81OV goaltender Thatcher Demko in a deal with Ottawa. He will be a massive upgrade over Jordan Binnington and gives the Pens a true #1 between the pipes. The Pens also made shrewd moves in adding top 6 winger Blake Coleman, veteran C Jeff Carter who comes with loads of playoff experience and Demelo on the back end. This roster is loaded and looks ready for a deep run.

2. Tampa Bay (73 points through 64 games - second seed as division leader)
Added:
C - Philip Danault
D - Cody Ceci
D - Jake Bean
RW - Nick Bjugstad
LW - Tanner Pearson

The Lightning have been struggling of late and decided to add some serious depth at the deadline. They acquired an entire new 3rd line in Danault, Bjugstad and Pearson which should be able to prevent some goals while also being able to chip in offensively. On the back end, they added 2nd pair Dman Ceci and some depth in Bean. The Atlantic division has been a mess this season and the Lightning currently hold a 5 point lead over the Leafs and 6 over Buffalo. These moves will hopefully help them hold on to the #2 seed.

3. Columbus (80 points through 65 games)
Added:
D - Dougie Hamilton
RW - Richard Rakell
D - Brendan Dillon
RW - Garnet Hathaway

The hottest team in the league can attribute most of their success to the acquisition of Hamilton. The team has been on absolute fire since his addition. Rakell is currently playing on the top line and has also been the perfect fit on this squad. The Jackets also added some nice depth players in Dillon and Hathaway who should fit in great for a playoff run. This team could shortly be leading the conference and are looking great.

4. Washington (79 points through 65 games)
Added:
D - Vince Dunn

The defending champs only made 1 move this year, but it should be an impact one as they dealt their 1st rounder for offensive Dman Vince Dunn. He seems like he should be a solid fit as the Caps go for a title defence in the coming months

5. Philadelphia (77 points through 64 games)
Added:
G - Anton Forsberg
LW - Brayden Schenn
RW - Balke Wheeler

Never a team to sit back, the Flyers didn't disappoint once again this deadline as they added a couple of impact top 6 wingers in Schenn and Wheeler. Suddenly this squad looks significantly more dangerous offensively and are going to give some teams fits in the playoffs trying to contain them. Not to overlooked though, they were also able to bring in a very solid backup in Forsberg to give Igor Shesterkin a breather now and then. Very nice moves from an already solid team.

6. New Jersey (74 points through 63 games)
Added:
Nothing

The Devils have been very up and down the last month but decided to stand pat with their roster in the hopes they can get hot again at the right time.

7. Hurricanes (73 points through 62 games)
Added:
RW - Tyler Bertuzzi
D - Jacob Slavin
C - Radek Faksa
RW - Alex Killorn
C - Paul Stastny

One of the stingiest traders in the league pushed a lot of chips in the pot this year and added a couple top 6 wingers, a couple bottom 6 C's and a top pair D. I will let you guys be the judge of the Canes moves as obviously I have pretty obvious thoughts about them already

It's going to be a heck of a race down the stretch and into the playoffs in the East but it was awesome seeing all these teams load up at the deadline.