The Skinny on the Playoff Race - Isles fall into 3rd Place in Metropolitan Division. Can clinch playoff spot & Met Division Top 3 on Tuesday.

The Isles magic number to clinch a playoff spot fell to 1 when Ottawa fell in an extended shootout with Toronto.. The Isles can clinch a trip to the Stanley Cup playoffs for the 2nd time in three years as early as Tuesday, needing only to force OT in Philadelphia or have Pittsburgh beat Ottawa.

The Isles did fall behind Washington for 2nd place, but remain in control of their own destiny for home ice.

Sunday's scores of note:
Isles were idle

Washington beat Detroit 2-1

Toronto beat Ottawa 3-2 (SO)

Philadelphia beat Pittsburgh 4-1

Boston was idle

Met Top 4:

·         NY Rangers  50-21-7=107 points / 78 games (46 ROW)  

·          Washington  44-25-11=99 points / 80 games (39 ROW) 

·         ISLES           46-27-6=98 points / 79 games (39 ROW) 

             Pittsburgh     42-26-11=95 points / 79 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.

• ISLES have 98 points, 39 regulation/overtime wins (ROW) & 3 games to play. They can finish with a maximum of 104 points.
• Washington has 99 points, 39 ROW and 2 games to play. They can finish with a maximum of 103 points.
• Pittsburgh has 95 points, 38 ROW and 3 games to play.  They can finish with a maximum of 101 points.
• Detroit has 95 points, 37 ROW and 3 games to play. They can finish with a maximum of 101 points.
• Boston has 95 points, 37 ROW and 3 games to play.  They can finish with a maximum of 101 points.
• Ottawa has 93 points, 34 ROW and 3 games to play.  They can finish with a maximum of 99 points.

Isles magic numbers are:

• 6 vs. Washington
• 4 vs Pittsburgh
• 4 vs. Detroit
• 4 vs. Boston
• 1 vs. Ottawa

The Isles control their own destiny -- they will finish 2nd in the Met and 4th in the East if they win their last three games.

Monday's schedule: Isles, Pittsburgh, Washington, Detroit, Boston and Ottawa are all idle.

Tuesday' s schedule: Isles are in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh is in Ottawa, Detroit hosts Carolina. Boston and Washington are idle.

Wednesday's schedule: Boston is in Washington.  Pittsburgh, Detroit, Ottawa and the Isles are idle.

Thursday's schedule: Detroit is in Montreal, Ottawa is at the Rangers, Boston is at Florida.  The Isles, Pittsburgh and Washington are idle.

Friday's schedule: Isles are at Pittsburgh.  Washington, Detroit, Boston and Ottawa are idle.

Saturday' schedule: Isles host Columbus, Washington host the Rangers, Pittsburgh is at Buffalo, Boston is at Tampa Bay, Ottawa is at Philadelphia and Detroit is at Carolina.

(end regular season)

Clinching Playoffs Scenario for Tuesday:
Isles earn a point (or two) in Philadelphia or Ottawa loses to Pittsburgh  in any fashion

Clinching 3rd Place in Metropolitan Scenario for Tuesday:

Isles win in any fashion and Pittsburgh loses to Ottawa in regulation

or

Isles win in regulation/overtime and Pittsburgh loses to Ottawa  in any fashion

Clinching Scenario vs; Detroit for Tuesday (Would clinch at least 1st Wild Card)

Isles win  in any fashion and Detroit loses in any fashion