With the New York Islanders falling 9-2 to the New York Rangers on Thursday night, their tragic number moved to one.
The Montreal Canadiens, who currently hold a six-point lead in the Eastern Conference's second wild-card, need just one point against the Ottawa Senators on Friday night to eliminate the Islanders.
Per PlayoffStatus.com, here are the many ways the Canadiens can punch their ticket to the playoffs, ending the season for not just the Islanders, but the Rangers, Blue Jackets, and Red Wings:
Case 1: Canadiens beat the Senators in regulation
Case 2: Canadiens lose to the Senators in OT or in a shootout, and Blue Jackets lose to the Capitals
Case 3: Canadiens beat the Senators in OT or in a shootout, and Blue Jackets lose to the Capitals
Case 4: Canadiens beat the Senators in OT or in a shootout, and Capitals lose to the Blue Jackets in OT or in a shootout
Case 5: Red Wings lose to the Lightning, and Blue Jackets lose to the Capitals in regulation, and Islanders lose to the Flyers, and Rangers lose to the Hurricanes
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