The Skinny on the Playoff Race - Race Tightens

(Through games of March 11)

Metropolitan Division Standings (Top 5)

·       Washington  49-13-5=103 points / 67 games (45 ROW) Idle

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

·       ISLES           37-20-78=82 points / 65 games (33 ROW) Idle

·       Pittsburgh     35-24-8=78 points / 67 games (33 ROW) Beat Columbus 3-2

     Philadelphia  32-23-11=75 points/ 66 games (30 ROW Beat Tampa Bay 3-1

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: 3/13 @ NY Rangers, 3/15 ISLES, 3/17 Carolina, 3/19 @ Philadelphia, 3/20 Washington, 3/24 New Jersey
• Philadelphia::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),  Montreal (17), Ottawa (15), Columbus (11), Buffalo (8), Toronto (5*).   

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

*Isles have clinched ROW tie-breaker