The Skinny on the Playoff Race

(Through games of March 6)

Metropolitan Division Standings (Top 4)

·       Washington  48-13-4=100 points / 65 games (45 ROW)  Idle

·       NY Rangers  38-22-6=82 points / 66 games (35 ROW) Lost to ISLES 6-4

·       ISLES           36-20-7=79 points / 63 games (32 ROW)  Beat NYR 6-4

·       Pittsburgh     34-22-8=76 points / 64 games (32 ROW)  Beat New Jersey 6-1

Upcoming Schedule:

·       Washington:  3/7 @Anaheim, 3/9 @ Los Angeles, 3/12 @ San Jose, 3/15 Carolina, 3/18 Nashville

·       NY Rangers:  3/8 @ Buffalo, 3/12 @ Detroit, 3/13 Pittsburgh, 3/16 @ Anaheim, 3/17 @ Los Angeles, 3/19 @ San Jose 

·       ISLES: 3/8 Pittsburgh, 3/9 @ Toronto, 3/12 @ Boston, 3/14 Florida, 3/15 @ Pittsburgh, 3/17 @ Nashville, 3/19 @ Dallas

·       Pittsburgh: 3/8 @ ISLES, 3/11 @ Columbus, 3/13 @ NY Rangers, 3/15 ISLES, 3/17 Carolina, 3/19 @ Philadelphia

Magic Number

The Isles’ magic number is clinch a playoff berth is 29 (currently over Philadelphia).  Any combination of Islander points gained and Flyer points lost will guarantee that Isles finish ahead of Philadelphia.  Magic numbers vs. other teams to clinch playoff berth: New Jersey (21), Carolina (23), Ottawa (21), Montreal (20), Columbus (16), Buffalo (15), Toronto (10).   

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