The Skinny on the Playoff Race -- Flyers close within 2 but let point get away as Isles magic number falls to 17

The Isles' magic number moved for the first time in a week, thanks to Detroit's 6-2 loss to Tampa Bay.  The Isles also got help from Columbus, as Cam Atkinson's tying goal at 19:52, the Jackets second in the final 1:04 of the third led to a Jackets shootout win over the Flyers.

 (Through games of March 22)

Metropolitan Division Standings (Top 5)

xy Washington 52-15-5=109 points / 72 games (48 ROW) Beat Ottawa 4-2

NY Rangers   41-24-8=90 points / 73 games (38 ROW) Idle

Pittsburgh      40-24-8=88 points / 72 games (37 ROW)  Idle

ISLES            38-24-9=85 points / 71 games (34 ROW) Idle

Philadelphia  35-24-13=83 points/ 72 games (33 ROW) Lost to Columb.3-2(SO) 

Atlantic Team in Wild Card Race

Detroit           36-26-11=83 points/ 73 games (34 ROW) Lost to Tampa Bay 6-2

x Clinched Playoff Spot

y Clinched Division Title and Conference Title

Upcoming Schedule:

·           Washington: 3/25 @ New Jersey, 3/26 vs St. Louis, 3/28 vs. Columbus, 3/30 @ Philadelphia

·           ISLES: 3/23 vs. Ottawa, 3/25 @ Tampa Bay, 3/26 @ Carolina, 3/29 vs. Carolina, 3/31 vs. Columbus

·           NY Rangers:  3/23 vs. Boston, 3/26 @ Montreal, 3/27 vs. Pittsburgh, 3/31 @ Carolina     

·           Pittsburgh:  3/24 vs. New Jersey, 3/26 @ Detroit, 3/27 @ NY Rangers, 3/29 vs. Buffalo, 3/31 vs. Nashville

·           Philadelphia:  3/24 @ Colorado, 3/26 @ Arizona, 3/28 vs. Winnipeg, 3/30 vs. Washington

·           Detroit: 3/24 vs Montreal, 3/26 vs. Pittsburgh, 3/28 vs. Buffalo, 3/29 @ Montreal

Magic Number

The Isles’ magic number is clinch a playoff berth falls to 17 over Detroit and 19 over Philadelphia, while remaining 24 over Pittsburgh and the Rangers.  Any combination of Islander points gained and Red Wings points lost totaling 17 will guarantee that the Isles finish ahead of Detroit.

The Isles need to finish ahead of eight teams to clinch a playoff berth.  Assuming the Isles finish ahead of teams currently in 10^th to 16^th place, the Isles also need to finish ahead of Philadelphia, Detroit, the Rangers OR Pittsburgh in order to clinch a playoff berth.

Magic numbers vs. other teams to clinch playoff berth: New Jersey (11),Carolina (10),  Ottawa (8), Montreal (6),  Buffalo (2), Columbus (1*).

Isles have clinched a better record than Toronto.

* Isles have clinched ROW tie-breaker over Columbus 

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

Wednesday’s Games

Ottawa at ISLES

Boston at NY Rangers

The Isles Magic Number to clinch a playoff spot could fall to:

·       15 (with an Islander win)

·       16 (with an Islander overtime/shootout loss)

after play on Wednesday.

Thursday's Games

Montreal at Detroit

Philadelphia at Colorado

 

Friday's Games

ISLES at Tampa Bay

Washington at New Jersey  

 

Saturday's Games

ISLES at Carolina

St. Louis at Washington

NY Rangers at Montreal

Pittsburgh at Detroit

Philadelphia at Arizona