The Skinny on the Playoff Race - Isles fall into 3rd Place in Metropolitan Division. Earliest playoff clinch still Saturday

The Isles magic number to clinch a playoff spot fell to 5 with their loser points but wins by Washington (SO), Ottawa and Boston all hurt the Isles on Thursday.

Washington's win gave the Caps 96 points in 78 games, with 38 ROWs; the Isles also have 96 in 78 with 38 ROWs but Washington won the season series 6 points to 5 and thus are ahead of the Isles.  

The Caps are the third team in 2 days to own second place in the Metroplitan Division.  Pittsburgh started Wednesday in 2nd place, but fell behind the Isles with their loss to Philly. Meanwhile, the Rangers clinched the Division with their win over Minnesota.

Met Top 4:

·         NY Rangers  49-21-7=105 points / 77 games (45 ROW)  

·         Washington  43-25-10=96 points / 78 games (38 ROW)  

·         ISLES           45-27-6=96 points / 78 games (38 ROW) 

·         Pittsburgh     42-24-11=95 points / 77 games (38 ROW)  

After ROW, head-to-head record is the next tie-breaker.  The Isles hold that tie-breaker over the Penguins, while Washington owns that tie-breaker against both the Isles and Pittsburgh,

In order to clinch a playoff spot, the Isles need to finish ahead of at least one of these five teams: Pittsburgh, Washington, Detroit, Boston or Ottawa.

Thursday's scores of note:
Isles lost to Columbus 4-3 (SO)

Washington beat Montreal 5-4 (SO)

Ottawa beat Tampa Bay 2-1 (OT)

Boston beat Detroit 3-2

Pittsburgh was idle

• Washington has 96 points, 38 regulation/overtime wins (ROW) & 4 games to play. They can finish with a maximum of 104 points.
• ISLES have 96 points, 38 ROW and 4 games to play. They can finish with a maximum of 104 points.
• Pittsburgh has 95 points, 38 ROW and 5 games to play.  They can finish with a maximum of 105 points.
• Detroit has 93 points, 37 ROW and 5 games to play. They can finish with a maximum of 103 points.
• Boston has 93 points, 37 ROW and 4 games to play.  They can finish with a maximum of 101 points.
• Ottawa has 90 points, 33 ROW and 5 games to play.  They can finish with a maximum of 100 points.

Isles magic numbers are:

• 10 vs. Pittsburgh
• 9 vs. Washington
• 8 vs. Detroit
• 6 vs. Boston
• 5 vs. Ottawa

None of these teams play Friday, but they all play Saturday:  Isles host Buffalo, Pittsburgh is at Columbus, Washington is at Ottawa, Detroit is at Minnesota and Boston hosts Toronto.

Clinching Scenario for Saturday:
Isles win in any fashion and Ottawa loses in regulation to Washington.