The Skinny on the Playoff Race

(Through games of March 5)

Metropolitan Division Standings (Top 4)

·       Washington  48-13-4=100 points / 65 games (45 ROW)  Beat Boston 2-1 (OT)

·       NY Rangers  38-21-6=82 points / 65 games (35 ROW)  Idle

·       ISLES           35-20-7=77 points / 62 games (31 ROW)  Idle

·       Pittsburgh     33-22-8=74 points / 63 games (31 ROW)  Lost to Calgary 4-2

Upcoming Schedule:

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

·       NY Rangers: 3/6 ISLES, 3/8 @ Buffalo, 3/12 @ Detroit, 3/13 Pittsburgh, 3/16 @ Anaheim, 3/17 @ Los Angeles, 3/19 @ San Jose 

·       ISLES:3/6 @ NY Rangers, 3/8 Pittsburgh, 3/9 @ Toronto, 3/12 @ Boston, 3/14 Florida, 3/15 @ Pittsburgh, 3/17 @ Nashville, 3/19 @ Dallas

·       Pittsburgh:, 3/6 @ New Jersey, 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 31 (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 (25), Carolina (25), Ottawa (25), Montreal (22), Columbus (18), Buffalo (17), Toronto (12).   

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