The Skinny on the Playoff Race - Epic Comeback cuts Isles Magic Number to 22

The Isles closed within 1 point of the Rangers and cut their magic number for clinching a playoff spot to 22 with this comeback win over Florida:

Details on the comeback are here: http://www.nyiskinny.com/2016/03/its-been-25-years-since-isles-did-what.html

The Skinny is here: http://www.nyiskinny.com/2016/03/the-skinny-isles-3-florida-2.html

(Through games of March 14)

Metropolitan Division Standings (Top 5)

Washington  49-14-5=103 points / 68 games (45 ROW) Idle 

NY Rangers  39-23-7=85 points / 69 games (36 ROW)  Idle

 ISLES           38-21-8=84 points / 67 games (34 ROW) Beat Florida 3-2

Pittsburgh     36-24-8=80 points / 68 games (33 ROW) Idle 

Philadelphia  32-23-12=76 points/ 67 games (30 ROW) Idle

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Atlantic Team in Wild Card Race

Detroit           32-22-15=79 points/ 69 games (32 ROW) Idle

Upcoming Schedule:

• Washington: 3/15 Carolina, 3/18 Nashville, 3/20 @ Pittsburgh, 3/22 @ Ottawa, 3/25 @ New Jersey, 3/26 vs St. Louis
• NY Rangers: 3/16 @ Anaheim, 3/17 @ Los Angeles, 3/19 @ San Jose, 3/21 Florida, 3/23 Boston, 3/26 @ Montreal, 3/27 Pitttsburgh     
• ISLES: 3/15 @ Pittsburgh, 3/17 @ Nashville, 3/19 @ Dallas, 3/21 Philadelphia, 3/23 Ottawa, 3/25 @ Tampa Bay, 3/26 @ Carolina
• Pittsburgh: 3/15 ISLES, 3/17 Carolina, 3/19 @ Philadelphia, 3/20 Washington, 3/24 New Jersey, 3/26 @ Detroit, 3/27 @ NY Rangers
• Philadelphia::3/15 Detroit, 3/16 @ Chicago, 3/19 Pittsburgh, 3/21 @ ISLES, 3/22 @ Columbus, 3/24 @ Colorado, 3/26 @ Arizona
• Detroit: 3/15 @ Philadelphia, 3/17 @ Columbus, 3/19 @ Florida,3/22 at Tampa Bay 3/24 vs Montreal, 3/26 vs. Pittsburgh

Magic Number

The Isles’ magic number is clinch a playoff berth is 22 over Detroit, 23 over Philadelphia, and 25 over Pittsburgh.  Any combination of Islander points gained and Red Wings points lost totaling 22 will guarantee that the Isles finish ahead of Detroit.

Assuming the Isles finish ahead of the 7 teams listed below, the Isles need to finish ahead of Philadelphia, Detroit OR Pittsburgh in order to clinch a playoff berth.

Magic numbers vs. other teams to clinch playoff berth: Carolina (17), New Jersey (14),  Montreal (13), Ottawa (13), Columbus (7), Buffalo (4), Toronto (1*).   

(Top 3 in each division, plus next two teams make the playoffs)

*Magic number has been reduced because Isles have clinched ROW tie-breaker

Tuesday's Games

ISLES at Pittsburgh 

Carolina at Washington

Detroit at Philadelphia

The Isles Magic Number could fall to 18 with an Islander win and a Flyer regulation win.