The Skinny on the Playoff Race - Isles Move into 2nd place as Magic Number Falls to 19

The Isles have finally caught the Rangers as their shootout loss tonight in Pittsburgh tied the Blueshirts in points.  The Isles technically hold second place because the Isles still hold a game-in-hand.  Meanwhile, Philadelphia's 4-3 regulation win over Detroit moved the Flyers within one point of the Red Wings -- it also lowered the Isles magic number to 19 because the Flyers hold two games in hand on Detroit.

(Through games of March 15)

Metropolitan Division Standings (Top 5)

xWashington  50-14-5=105 points / 69 games (46 ROW)Beat Carolina 2-1 (OT) 

 ISLES        38-21-9=85 points / 68 games (34 ROW) Lost to Pittsburgh 2-1 (SO)

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

Pittsburgh     37-24-8=82 points / 69 games (33 ROW) Beat Isles 2-1 (SO) 

Philadelphia  33-23-12=78 points/ 68 games (31 ROW) Beat Detroit 4-3

------------

Atlantic Team in Wild Card Race

Detroit           32-23-15=79 points/ 70 games (32 ROW) Lost to Philadelphia 4-3

x Clinched Playoff Spot

Upcoming Schedule:

• Washington: 3/18 Nashville, 3/20 @ Pittsburgh, 3/22 @ Ottawa, 3/25 @ New Jersey, 3/26 vs St. Louis
• ISLES: 3/17 @ Nashville, 3/19 @ Dallas, 3/21 Philadelphia, 3/23 Ottawa, 3/25 @ Tampa Bay, 3/26 @ Carolina
• 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     
• Pittsburgh:  3/17 Carolina, 3/19 @ Philadelphia, 3/20 Washington, 3/24 New Jersey, 3/26 @ Detroit, 3/27 @ NY Rangers
• Philadelphia::3/16 @ Chicago, 3/19 Pittsburgh, 3/21 @ ISLES, 3/22 @ Columbus, 3/24 @ Colorado, 3/26 @ Arizona
• Detroit: 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 19 over Detroit, 22 over Philadelphia, and 24 over Pittsburgh.  Any combination of Islander points gained and Red Wings points lost totaling 19 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 (15), New Jersey (13),  Montreal (10), Ottawa (12), Columbus (6), Buffalo (3).

Isles have clinched a better record than Toronto.

  

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

Wednesday's Games

Philadelphia at Chicago

NY Rangers at Anaheim

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