The Skinny on the Playoff Chase

The Standings:

•        3 Washington (SE Leader) 39 games 20-17-2 42 points (17 ROW) Next game: Tuesday at Montreal
•        5. Toronto 38 games 21-13-4 46 points  (21 ROW) Next game: Monday vs. NY Rangers
•         6  Ottawa  38 games 19-13-6 44 points  (15 ROW) Next game: Tuesday at Tampa Bay
•         7  NY Rangers 38 games  19-15-4 42 points  (16 ROW) Next game: Monday at Toronto
•         8  NY Islanders 39 games 19-16-4 42 points  (16 ROW) Next game: Tuesday vs. Philadelphia
•         9  New Jersey 39 games 15-14-10 40 points (13 ROW) Next game: Wednesday vs. Boston
•         10 Winnipeg 40 games 19-19-2 40 points (18 ROW) Next game: Tuesday vs. Buffalo

What's a ROW?

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

Isn't it 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) for clinching a playoff spot is 17. Of the teams currently not in a playoff spot, New Jersey can reach the highest total (58 points). 

Clinch #s:

The Isles will qualify for the playoffs if they can finish ahead of 7 other teams.  Here are the maximum point totals, and respective Clinch #s for the seven teams currently not in a playoff spot.

New Jersey 40 pts in 39 games. Maximum points: 58.  Clinch #: 17

Winnipeg 40 pts in 40 games.  Maximum points: 56.  Clinch #: 15

Buffalo 38 points in 39 games. Maximum points: 56.  Clinch #: 15

Philadelphia 37 points in 38 games. Maximum points: 57. Clinch # 16

Carolina 34 points in 37 games.  Maximum points: 56. Clinch #: 15

Tampa Bay 34 points in 38 games. Maximum points: 54. Clinch #: 13

Florida 32 points in 39 games. Maximum points: 50. Clinch # 9

Upcoming Games:

Monday, 4/8:

Carolina at Boston

Rangers at Toronto

Tuesday, 4/9:

Buffalo at Winnipeg

Ottawa at Tampa Bay

Philadelphia at Islanders

Washington at Montreal

Pittsburgh at Carolina

Wednesday, 4/10:

Boston at New Jersey

Toronto at Rangers

Thursday, 4/11:

Pittsburgh at Tampa Bay

Montreal at Buffalo

Florida at Winnipeg

Islanders at Boston

Ottawa at Philadelphia

Carolina at Washington

Friday, 4/12:

Ottawa at New Jersey

Saturday, 4/13:

Rangers at Islanders

Pittsburgh at Florida

Montreal at Toronto

Boston at Carolina

Tampa Bay at Washington

Philadelphia at Buffalo

Sunday, 4/14:

Tampa Bay at Buffalo

There are 20 days remaining in the NHL season.  The season ends on Saturday, April 27th, with 12 Eastern Conference teams in action.  The Islanders, Sabres and Jets all play their last game on Friday, April 26.

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