The Skinny on the Playoff Race

(Through games of March 7)

Metropolitan Division Standings (Top 5)

·       Washington  49-13-4=102 points / 66 games (45 ROW) Beat Anaheim 2-1 SOW

·       NY Rangers  38-22-6=82 points / 66 games (35 ROW) Idle

·       ISLES           36-20-7=79 points / 63 games (32 ROW) Idle

·       Pittsburgh     34-23-8=76 points / 65 games (32 ROW) Idle

     Philadelphia  31-23-11=73 points/ 65 games (29 games ) Beat Tampa Bay 4-2

Upcoming Schedule:

• Washington: 3/9 @ Los Angeles, 3/12 @ San Jose, 3/15 Carolina, 3/18 Nashville, 3/20 @ Pittsburgh, 3/22 @ Ottawa, 3/25 @ New Jersey
• NY Rangers:  3/8 @ Buffalo, 3/12 @ Detroit, 3/13 Pittsburgh, 3/16 @ Anaheim, 3/17 @ Los Angeles, 3/19 @ San Jose, 3/21 Florida, 3/23 Boston      
• ISLES: 3/8 Pittsburgh, 3/9 @ Toronto, 3/12 @ Boston, 3/14 Florida, 3/15 @ Pittsburgh, 3/17 @ Nashville, 3/19 @ Dallas, 3/21 Philadelphia, 3/23 Ottawa
• Pittsburgh: 3/8 @ ISLES, 3/11 @ Columbus, 3/13 @ NY Rangers, 3/15 ISLES, 3/17 Carolina, 3/19 @ Philadelphia, 3/20 Washington, 3/24 New Jersey
• Philadelphia: 3/11 @Tampa, 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 29 (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 (23), New Jersey (21),  Ottawa (21), Montreal (20), Columbus (16), Buffalo (15), Toronto (9).   

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