The Skinny on the Playoff Chase: THEY'RE IN!

The Islanders are in!  A goal eventually credited to John Tavares got the Isles into overtime and even though they lost the shootout, a Washington win over Winnipeg clinched a playoff berth for the Isles.

The Standings:

• 1 Pittsburgh (Atlantic Champion) 46 games 35-11-0 70 points (32 ROW) Next game: Thursday at New Jersey
• 2 Boston (NorthEast Leader) 45 games 27-13-5 59 points (23 ROW) Next game: Thursday vs. Tampa Bay
• 3 Washington (SouthEast Champion) 46 games 26-18-2 54 points (22 ROW) Next game: Thursday vs. Ottawa
• 4 Montreal 46 games 27-14-5 59 points (24 ROW) Next game:Thursday at Winnipeg
• 5.Toronto 45 games 25-15-5 55 points (24 ROW) Next game:Wednesday at Tampa Bay
• 6 NY Islanders 46 games 24-16-6 54 points (20 ROW) Next game: Thursday at Philadelphia
• 7 Ottawa 45 games 23-16-6 52 points (19 ROW) Next game: Thursday at Washington
• 8 NY Rangers 46 games 24-18-4 52 points (20 ROW) Next game: Tuesday at Florida
• 9 Winnipeg 47 games 24-20-3 51 points (22 ROW) Final game: Thursday vs. Montreal

Pittsburgh, Boston, Washington, Montreal , Toronto and the Islanders have clinched playoff berths.

If the season ended today (underlined teams are locked in to that position):

#1 Pittsburgh - #8 NY Rangers

#2 Boston - #7 Ottawa

#3 Washington - #6 Islanders

#4 Montreal -#5 Toronto

 

What's a ROW?

 Regulation or Overtime Wins. Wins earned in a shootout do not count towards the first tiebreaker.

What are the tie-breakers?

• Fewest games played  - (Boston 45, Montreal 46 puts Boston 2nd and Montreal 4^th; while Ottawa 45, Rangers 46 puts Sens 7^th and Rangers 8^th)
• Most ROW Head-to-Head record
• Goal differential for the entire season

It's Magic

The Islanders' magic number (points earned by the Islanders or lost by the team that is not in a playoff position but has the highest possible points) is 0. They're in!

Where Can the Isles Finish?

As high as 5th or as low as 8th

Remaining Eastern Conference Schedule:

Wednesday, 4/24:

• Toronto at Tampa Bay  They'll need a lot of help to get there but the Leafs could still win the Northeast if Boston and Montreal both falter.  Home-ice though is in Toronto's control-- if they win their last three they will finish no lower than 4th.

Thursday, 4/25:
Pittsburgh at New Jersey
Montreal at Winnipeg
Ottawa at Washington
Tampa Bay at Boston
Toronto at Florida
Islanders at Philadelphia
Rangers at Carolina

Friday, 4/26:
Islanders at Buffalo

Saturday, 4/27:
Carolina at Pittsburgh
Montreal at Toronto
Boston at Washington
Philadelphia at Ottawa
New Jersey at Rangers
Florida at Tampa Bay

Sunday, 4/28:
Ottawa at Boston
 

There are 5 days remaining in the NHL season. The season now ends on Sunday, April 28 with a game between Ottawa and Boston. 10 other Eastern Conference teams will end their season on April 27th. The Islanders face the Sabres in their final game on Friday, April 26 while the Jets play their final game on April 25th.

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