The Skinny on the Playoff Race - Isles Fall to 4th as Magic Number Remains 19

For the better part of two months, they have been the 3^rd place Islanders. For a little more than 24 hours earlier this week, the Isles moved into 2^nd place, but after two straight regulation losses, the Isles now find themselves 4^th in the Met with a key game looming with the Flyers on Monday:

 (Through games of March 19)

Metropolitan Division Standings (Top 5)

x Washington 51-14-5=107 points / 70 games (47 ROW) Idle 

NY Rangers   40-24-8=88 points / 72 games (37 ROW)  Lost 4-1 to San Jose

Pittsburgh      39-24-8=86 points / 71 games (36 ROW) Beat Philly 4-1

ISLES            38-23-9=85 points / 70 games (34 ROW) Lost 3-0 to Dallas

Philadelphia  34-24-12=80 points/ 70 games (32 ROW) Lost to Pittsburgh 4-1

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Atlantic Team in Wild Card Race

Detroit           34-23-15=83 points/ 73 games (34 ROW) Beat Florida 4-3

x Clinched Playoff Spot

Upcoming Schedule:

·           Washington: 3/20 @ Pittsburgh, 3/22 @ Ottawa, 3/25 @ New Jersey, 3/26 vs St. Louis, 3/28 vs. Columbus, 3/30 @ Philadelphia

·           ISLES: 3/21 vs. Philadelphia, 3/23 vs. Ottawa, 3/25 @ Tampa Bay, 3/26 @ Carolina, 3/29 vs. Carolina, 3/31 vs. Columbus

·           NY Rangers: 3/21 vs. Florida, 3/23 vs. Boston, 3/26 @ Montreal, 3/27 vs. Pittsburgh, 3/31 @ Carolina     

·           Pittsburgh: 3/20 vs. Washington, 3/24 vs. New Jersey, 3/26 @ Detroit, 3/27 @ NY Rangers, 3/29 vs. Buffalo, 3/31 vs. Nashville

·           Philadelphia: 3/21 @ ISLES, 3/22 @ Columbus, 3/24 @ Colorado, 3/26 @ Arizona, 3/28 vs. Winnipeg, 3/30 vs. Washington

·           Detroit: 3/22 at Tampa Bay 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 is 19 over Detroit, 20 over Philadelphia, and 24 over Pittsburgh and the Rangers.  Any combination of Islander points gained and Red Wings points lost totaling 19 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: Carolina (12), New Jersey (11), Ottawa (10), Montreal (8), Columbus (4), Buffalo (2).

Isles have clinched a better record than Toronto.

  

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

Sunday's Games

Washington at Pittsburgh

The Isles Magic Number will remain 19 after play on Sunday.

Monday’s Games

Philadelphia at ISLES

Florida at NY Rangers

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

·       16 (with an Islander regulation win)

·       17 (with an Islander overtime/shootout win)

after play on Monday.

Tuesday’s Games

Washington at Ottawa

Philadelphia at Columbus

Detroit at Tampa Bay

Wednesday’s Games

Ottawa at ISLES

Boston at NY Rangers