The Skinny on the Playoff Race - Magic Number Falls to 25

(Through games of March 12)

Metropolitan Division Standings (Top 5)

·       Washington  49-14-5=103 points / 68 games (45 ROW) Lost 5-2 at SJ

·       NY Rangers  39-22-7=85 points / 68 games (36 ROW)  Loss/OT 3-2 at Detroit

·       ISLES           37-21-8=82 points / 66 games (33 ROW) Loss 3-1 at Boston

·       Pittsburgh     35-24-8=78 points / 67 games (33 ROW) Idle

     Philadelphia  32-23-12=76 points/ 67 games (30 ROW) Lost/SO 5-4 at Florida

Upcoming Schedule:

• Washington: 3/15 Carolina, 3/18 Nashville, 3/20 @ Pittsburgh, 3/22 @ Ottawa, 3/25 @ New Jersey
• NY Rangers: 3/13 Pittsburgh, 3/16 @ Anaheim, 3/17 @ Los Angeles, 3/19 @ San Jose, 3/21 Florida, 3/23 Boston      
• ISLES: 3/14 Florida, 3/15 @ Pittsburgh, 3/17 @ Nashville, 3/19 @ Dallas, 3/21 Philadelphia, 3/23 Ottawa
• Pittsburgh: 3/13 @ NY Rangers, 3/15 ISLES, 3/17 Carolina, 3/19 @ Philadelphia, 3/20 Washington, 3/24 New Jersey
• Philadelphia::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 25 over Philadelphia, 26 over Detroit and 27 over Pittsburgh.  Any combination of Islander points gained and Flyer points lost totaling 25 will guarantee that the Isles finish ahead of Philadelphia.

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 (19), New Jersey (18),  Montreal (15), Ottawa (15), Columbus (11), Buffalo (8), Toronto (3*).   

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

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