Isles could clinch playoff berth as early as Saturday!

Instead of going down to the last minute, how nice would it be for the Isles to clinch a playoff berth with a week to go in the regular season?  The Isles' magic number is 8 to clinch a playoff berth and it could happen as early as Saturday.

The Isles need the results of only three games to go their way to clinch a spot on Saturday afternoon:

Thursday:
Isles beat Toronto
Carolina beats Winnipeg (in regulation)

Saturday:
Isles beat Winnipeg (in regulation)

...Would give the Isles 53 points and the Jets 46, each with three games to play.


While things look real good now, the Isles could also find themselves behind Winnipeg on Saturday IF:

Thursday:
Isles lose to Toronto (in regulation)
Winnipeg beats Carolina

Saturday:
Winnipeg beats Islanders (in regulation)

...Would give the Jets 50 points and the Isles 49, each with three games to play.

Current magic numbers to finish ahead of other conference rivals:

8 -- Winnipeg
3 -- Philadelphia, Buffalo and New Jersey

(Isles have clinched at least 12th -- they will finish ahead of Florida, Carolina and Tampa Bay)

Remaining opponents:

Isles: @Tor, @Wpg, @ Car ,@Phi, @Buf

Winnipeg: Car, NYI, @Buf, @Wsh ,@Mtl

Others to Watch:

Washington:  @Ott, @Mtl, Wpg, Ott, Bos

Toronto:  NYI, @Ott, @TB, @Fla, Mtl

Ottawa: Wsh, Tor, Pit, @Wsh, Phil, @Bos

NYR:  Fla, @Buf, NJ, @Fla, @Car, NJ

 

Forever1940 is the nom de plume of Eric Hornick, statistician on Islander home telecasts since January 21, 1982. Visit my blog: NYISkinny.com and follow me on Twitter @ehornick