The Pittsburgh Penguins still have a chance at the playoffs, but they are slim.
PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Penguins entered their final home game of the season without control of their playoff destiny. They needed a big win over the Nashville Predators to stay alive but also needed multiple teams to take defeats.
In addition to needing a win, the Penguins needed the Washington Capitals and Detroit Red Wings to lose their matchups.
The Penguins got their win but didn’t get any help from the out-of-town scoreboard. The Capitals shut out the Boston Bruins, and the Red Wings beat the Montreal Canadiens in a dramatic overtime win.
The New York Islanders also won to clinch their spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and finish third in the Metropolitan Division.
Even though the Penguins won, their playoff odds sunk, and the two teams ahead of them stayed in the driver’s seat. The Penguins still have a chance to reach the playoffs, but they’ll need huge helping hands.
The Penguins will be eliminated if either the Capitals or Red Wings win their final game of the season. The Capitals and Red Wings play at the same time on Tuesday, while the Penguins have a day off.
Fans of the Penguins will have to put their faith in the Canadiens who close out a home-and-home with the Red Wings as well as root for the rival Philadelphia Flyers against the Capitals.
If the Capitals and Red Wings both lose their final game, the ball will be put back in the Penguins’ court. If those two teams lose, the Penguins will need a win over the Islanders to clinch the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
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