In the first half, they showed their future playoff opponents how dangerous they could be.

This was the 11th straight time they have closed out a playoff opponent on the first attempt, a string that dates to April 29, 2001.

Playing a possible playoff opponent will be uncomfortable, Torre said.

No playoff opponents played each other the last week of the regular season.

At this point, there is about a 50-50 chance the Rangers will be able to decide their first-round playoff opponent with that game.

"We could be the first-round playoff opponent, and that added some importance to the game."

Chicago has outrebounded its playoff opponents by an average of 10 per game.

Lack of respect for a playoff opponent is not, though, and that appears to be something the Devils cannot shake.

We're not going to concede anything to what could be a potential playoff opponent.

This trip was all about learning how the Mets fare against potential playoff opponents.