Penguins/NHL
The Ottawa Senators officially punched their ticket to the playoffs with a 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. The Senators are 21-3-3 in their last 27 games.
Ottawa with 99 points guarantees themselves to finish with the top wildcard spot or third place in the Atlantic Division, pending the outcome of tonight’s Red Wings (98 pts, 38 ROW) – Hurricanes game.
The Red Wings game could also have an impact on the Penguins.
A Penguins win and a Red Wings regulation loss, would have the Penguins earning the top wildcard seed and Detroit finishing with the second wildcard seed. Both teams are tied with a ROW of 38.
Going into tonight’s game Pittsburgh remains in play to face the Rangers, Lightning or Canadiens in Round 1.
For the Penguins it’s simple, win and they are in. The Bruins guarantee themselves the last playoff spot with a regulation/overtime win and a Penguins loss (regulation or overtime/shootout).
TIEBREAKING SCENARIO’S IF EACH TEAMS IS TIED WITH 96 POINTS OR 97 POINTS
1. If both teams end up tied with 96 points, Pittsburgh advances
2. If both teams end up tied with 97 points, there are two scenarios at play favoring each team:
1. Boston advances with a regulation or overtime win
2. Pittsburgh advances with overtime/shootout loss and a Bruins shootout win.
