If Pittsburgh makes the postseason, you’ll be able to look back to this five game stretch (1/16 – 1/24) as a reason why. It hasn’t been pretty by any means, but the Penguins have been able to stack eight out of a possible ten points, while some notable teams around or just below them have had some really bad stretches.

The New York Islanders in particular have fallen off a cliff. The Isles are winless in their last six and 1-7-3 over their last 11 games. In a heightened scoring season leaguewide, New York can’t put the puck in the net and look finished. Meanwhile, the once surging Washington Capitals got healthier of late and it’s had a reversed impact as they’re 3-6 in their last nine games. Pittsburgh has three games in hand on the Capitals and the way things have broke in the last 7-10 days, there’s a lot more pressure on the Capitals tonight to take care of business at home.

EAST STANDINGS BASED ON POINTS %

  1. Boston – .851%
  2. Carolina – .723%
  3. NJD – .702%
  4. Toronto – .694%
  5. Tampa Bay – .663%
  6. NYR – .625%
  7. Pittsburgh – .596%
  8. Buffalo – .564%
  9. Washington – .560%
  10. Detroit – .522%

MORE BUZZ

$6 Million a year price tag still stands? There is more and more evidence Tristan Jarry is just one of those goaltenders who likely can’t physically shoulder a 60 + game workload per season after season. We’re past the stage of Jarry just going through a bad injury luck season. This is who he is but To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!

Could DeSmith hit waivers? To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!

High Ranking Team Source: ‘The East is a coin flip after Boston’: To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!

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