The Skinny on the Playoff Race -- Penguins tie Rangers; both teams 3 points ahead of Isles

The Isles' stay in 4th place is going to last a bit after Pittsburgh's big win tonight over Washington.  The Isles now trail both the Penguins and Rangers by 3 points heading into Monday's game with Philadelphia.  (Pittsburgh actually has moved into second place due to tie-breakers.

 (Through games of March 20)

Metropolitan Division Standings (Top 5)

x Washington 51-15-5=107 points / 71 games (47 ROW) Lost to Pittsburgh 6-2

Pittsburgh      40-24-8=88 points / 72 games (37 ROW) Beat Washington 6-2

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

ISLES            38-23-9=85 points / 70 games (34 ROW) Idle

Philadelphia  34-24-12=80 points/ 70 games (32 ROW) Idle

Atlantic Team in Wild Card Race

Detroit           34-23-15=83 points/ 73 games (34 ROW) Idle

x Clinched Playoff Spot

Upcoming Schedule:

·           Washington: 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:  3/24 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 (6), Columbus (2), Buffalo (2).

Isles have clinched a better record than Toronto.

  

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

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