Embraced by (some) fans, denied by general managers and condemned by the powers that be, the NHL's race for last place has rounded its final turn and entered the homestretch. For better or worse, the Great Tank Job of 2014-15 that has captivated the masses and ignited debates over ethics and dignity is about to intensify for the better part of the next month and a half.

Were it for a prize more honorable, like a playoff spot, it most certainly would be less interesting. That's because, for the teams involved, this is for all the marbles, the right to call themselves the worst and have the pick of the litter in a draft crowned with generational talent, competitive integrity be damned.

It all started in earnest on Saturday, as evidenced by Maple Leafs coach Peter Horachek chastising his team, for the umpteenth time, for its effort — or the lack thereof — following a brutal 6-1 loss to the Cup-contending Blues.

“I think there was no effort. We didn’t play to win any of the 50-50 battles," Horachek told reporters after the game. "We weren’t competing hard enough, we didn’t forecheck, we didn’t keep the puck in the offensive zone. It was different, but playing behind and chasing games, again that’s not a good way. I said, ‘you got to play with more pride.’ There were small little push backs, but not enough.”

It was visible again in the Sabres' dressing room after their own 6-1 loss to the Capitals, when coach Ted Nolan carried a familiar tone with the media and practically begged and pleaded for someone on his young, minor league-caliber team to step up and own a leadership role.

Some of those players are already talking about next season and the promise of better times, the prospects of playing alongside prodigious draft prospects Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel tantalizingly real.

“For players that are going to be here next year and down the road, you’ve got to be ready to go and build for the future,” said Sabres winger Marcus Foligno, who at 23 might as well be a grizzled veteran on his team. “For guys like me who are not happy where we are, next year should be on the rise. We’re going up the mountain, not down. Next year, it’s all about having a good start, and it starts now.”

The Coyotes, dismantled by their general manager at the trade deadline, did their part Saturday, too, in a 2-0 shutout loss to the Canadiens. They've won one game out of their last 12. At least some of their young players are showing signs of improvement.

And lest we forget about the Oilers, who gave up four goals to the Hurricanes in just one period of a 7-4 loss Sunday.

All four teams were separated by 14 points by the end of Sunday's action — Buffalo with 43, Edmonton with 47, Arizona 49 and Toronto 57.

Carolina and Columbus, for all intents and purposes, are in the mix, too. But they're not trying as hard to lose.

Before the game Saturday, Nolan announced newly-acquired tank reinforcement Chad Johnson would likely be lost for the season because of an injury during practice. Defensemen Andrej Meszaros and Zach Bogosian each later left the game with injuries and could miss time.

During the Leafs' loss, Horachek benched his top power-play line of Phil Kessel, Tyler Bozak and James van Riemsdyk because "they weren’t getting anything done."

The Coyotes haven't been able to muster any semblance of offense after trading away their three best point producers last week.

What does it all mean?

Well, with five weeks left, it means there are four teams so utterly and obviously throwing in the towel that it will become amusing just to watch what they do before the season's end, locked in a sort of backward sprint to be worst — or first, if you will — that will elicit more attention than the ongoing playoff races at the opposite end.

Buffalo visits Toronto on Wednesday. There are also two games on the schedule between the Sabres and Coyotes before this season ends — March 26 and March 30. The Maple Leafs and the Oilers play March 16.

Ready, set, tank.

MORE: Kadri ordered home after arriving late to Leafs' practice