The Skinny on the Playoff Race - Top of the Metro Tightens as magic number falls to 24

5 points now separates 2nd and 4th in the Metro after the Rangers' loss to Pittsburgh. The Isles' magic number to clinch a playoff spot fell to 24 when Detroit lost to Toronto.

(Through games of March 13)

Metropolitan Division Standings (Top 5)

Washington  49-14-5=103 points / 68 games (45 ROW) Idle 

NY Rangers  39-23-7=85 points / 69 games (36 ROW)  Lost 5-3 vs Pittsburgh 

 ISLES           37-21-8=82 points / 66 games (33 ROW) Idle       

Pittsburgh     36-24-8=80 points / 68 games (33 ROW) Beat NYR  

Philadelphia  32-23-12=76 points/ 67 games (30 ROW) Idle

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Atlantic Team in Wild Card Race

Detroit           32-22-15=79 points/ 69 games (32 ROW) Lost 1-0 to Toronto 

Upcoming Schedule:

• Washington: 3/15 Carolina, 3/18 Nashville, 3/20 @ Pittsburgh, 3/22 @ Ottawa, 3/25 @ New Jersey, 3/26 vs St. Louis
• 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     
• ISLES: 3/14 Florida, 3/15 @ Pittsburgh, 3/17 @ Nashville, 3/19 @ Dallas, 3/21 Philadelphia, 3/23 Ottawa, 3/25 @ Tampa Bay, 3/26 @ Carolina
• Pittsburgh: 3/15 ISLES, 3/17 Carolina, 3/19 @ Philadelphia, 3/20 Washington, 3/24 New Jersey, 3/26 @ Detroit, 3/27 @ NY Rangers
• Philadelphia::3/15 Detroit, 3/16 @ Chicago, 3/19 Pittsburgh, 3/21 @ ISLES, 3/22 @ Columbus, 3/24 @ Colorado, 3/26 @ Arizona
• Detroit: 3/15 @ Philadelphia, 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 24 over Detroit, 25 over Philadelphia, and 27 over Pittsburgh.  Any combination of Islander points gained and Red Wings points lost totaling 24 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 (19), New Jersey (18),  Montreal (15), Ottawa (15), Columbus (9), 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

Monday's Games

Florida at ISLES  The Isles Magic Number will fall to 22 with an Isles win or to 23 with a Panther OT/SO win.

New Jersey at Anaheim  The Devils look to sweep California.