The Skinny on the Playoff Race: Magic Number falls to 26

(Through games of March 9)

Metropolitan Division Standings (Top 5)

·       Washington  49-13-5=103 points / 67 games (45 ROW) Lost/OT at LA 4-3

·       NY Rangers  39-22-6=84 points / 67 games (36 ROW) Idle

·       ISLES           37-20-78=82 points / 65 games (33 ROW) Lost/SO to Toronto 4-3

·       Pittsburgh     34-24-8=76 points / 66 games (32 ROW) Idle

     Philadelphia  31-23-11=73 points/ 65 games (29 games ) Idle

Upcoming Schedule:

• Washington: 3/12 @ San Jose, 3/15 Carolina, 3/18 Nashville, 3/20 @ Pittsburgh, 3/22 @ Ottawa, 3/25 @ New Jersey
• NY Rangers:   3/12 @ Detroit, 3/13 Pittsburgh, 3/16 @ Anaheim, 3/17 @ Los Angeles, 3/19 @ San Jose, 3/21 Florida, 3/23 Boston      
• ISLES: 3/12 @ Boston, 3/14 Florida, 3/15 @ Pittsburgh, 3/17 @ Nashville, 3/19 @ Dallas, 3/21 Philadelphia, 3/23 Ottawa
• Pittsburgh: 3/11 @ Columbus, 3/13 @ NY Rangers, 3/15 ISLES, 3/17 Carolina, 3/19 @ Philadelphia, 3/20 Washington, 3/24 New Jersey
• Philadelphia: 3/11 @Tampa, 3/12 @Florida, 3/15 Detroit, 3/16 @Chicago, 3/19 Pittsburgh, 3/21 @ ISLES, 3/22 @ Columbus, 3/24 @ Colorado

Magic Number

The Isles’ magic number is clinch a playoff berth is 26 (currently over Philadelphia).  Any combination of Islander points gained and Flyer points lost will guarantee that the Isles finish ahead of Philadelphia.  Magic numbers vs. other teams to clinch playoff berth: Carolina (20), New Jersey (18),  Ottawa (17), Montreal (17), Columbus (13), Buffalo (10), Toronto (5*).   

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

*Isles have clinched ROW tie-breaker