The Skinny on the Metro Playoff Race -- MAGIC NUMBER IS 5

The Isles' win Sunday afternoon lowered the magic number to 6.  Montreal's OT Loss Sunday night lowered it to 5.

Here's why:  Both Montreal and Columbus would reach 100 points if they won all of their remaining games.  However, Montreal plays Columbus on Thursday, so one or the other is guaranteed to finish with no more than 99.  

The Isles have 95 already, making the magic number 5  (99 - 95 +1 = 5)

Metro/Wild Card Playoff Watch 

1. Caps 96 points/76 games/40 ROW (Tuesday vs. Carolina)

2. Isles 95 points/76 games/40 ROW (Tuesday at Columbus)

3. Penguins 93 points/76 games/39 ROW (Monday at Rangers)

Wild Card Race

WC1. Hurricanes 91 points/75 games/40 ROW (Tuesday at Washington)

WC2. Canadiens 88 points/76 games/38 ROW (Tuesday vs. Florida)

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WC3. Blue Jackets 86 points/75 games/40 ROW (Tuesday vs. Isles)

WC4. Flyers 80 points/76 games/34 ROW, Wednesday vs. Toronto)

Magic Numbers:

Montreal's overtime loss lowered the Isles' Magic Number to clinch a playoff spot is 5. While either Montreal or Columbus could still get to 100 points by winning all of their remaining games, they play each other on Thursday, so one team is guaranteed to finish with 99 or fewer.

It could go as low as 1(with an Isles regulation win in Columbus and a Montreal regulation loss to Florida) on Tuesday.

Tie Breakers:

Head-to-Head

Isles will need a regulation win in Washington on April 6th to tie this tie-breaker.  Isles have tied season series with Pittsburgh and won season series from Carolina. 

Goal Differential

Pittsburgh +30

Isles +28

Washington +26

Forever1940 is the nom de plume of Eric Hornick, statistician on Islander home telecasts since January 21, 1982. Visit my blog: NYISkinny.com and follow me on Twitter @ehornick