Penguins, Islanders, Capitals separated by one point going into Wednesday’s action

The Washington Capitals (94 pts) 4-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes tonight has them keeping the pressure on the Penguins (95 pts) and Islanders (95 pts) in the race for second place in the Metropolitan Division.

Of the three, the Penguins control their own destiny with six games remaining, while the Capitals, Islanders each have five games remaining.

All three teams are tied in ROW with 38.

Washington and New York own the head to head tiebreaker vs the Penguins.

PENGUINS REMAINING SCHEDULE

4/1 vs Philadelphia

4/4 @ Columbus

4/5 @ Philadelphia

4/7 @ Ottawa

4/9 vs New York Islanders

4/11 @ Buffalo

Five of the Penguins remaining six games are against teams currently outside of the playoffs but other than facing Buffalo in the regular season finale, it’s far from a cupcake schedule.

Two of the next three games are vs the Flyers and the Columbus Blue Jackets with Brandon Dubinsky back in the lineup, are another rival that gets up to play the Penguins and are playing excellent hockey of late, winning 10 of 11 games, including wins over the Blackhawks, Ducks, Blues and Canucks during that span..

Next Tuesday Pittsburgh travels to Ottawa who are battling for the final wildcard spot and next Thursday’s matchup with the Islanders could decide who gets home ice in round 1.

ISLANDERS REMAINING SCHEDULE

4/2 @ Columbus

4/4 vs Buffalo

4/7 @ Philadelphia

4/9 @ Pittsburgh

4/11 vs Columbus

The Islanders get the Blue Jackets twice and are 2-0 vs Columbus this season and are 3-0 vs the Flyers.

CAPITALS REMAINING SCHEDULE

4/2 @ Montreal

4/4 @ Ottawa

4/5 @ Detroit

4/8 vs Boston

4/11 vs New York Rangers

The Capitals face the toughest schedule of the three teams, starting with a three game road trip Thursday night in Montreal, followed by back to back games this weekend @ Ottawa and @ Detroit.

1. Montreal Canadiens, 102 Points, 5 GR

2. Tampa Bay Lightning, 101 Points, 4 GR

3. Detroit Red Wings, 93 Points, 6 GR

1. NY Rangers, 103 Points, 6 GR

2. Pittsburgh Penguins, 95 Points, 5 GR

3. NY Islanders, 95 Points, 5 GR

1. Washington Capitals, 94 Points, 5 GR

2. Boston Bruins, 91 Points, 5 GR

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3. Ottawa Senators, 88 Points, 6 GR

4. Florida Panthers, 85 Points, 5 GR