The Pittsburgh Penguins enter their last home game with their entire season on the line.
PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Penguins are set for one more home game in the 2023-24 season, another massively important contest. While hosting the Nashville Predators, the Penguins are one point back of the Eastern Conference’s second wild card spot after dropping out of the position over the weekend.
The Penguins have been playing playoff-style hockey for a few weeks now, and this will be yet another crucial matchup. According to moneypuck.com, this game is a literal must-win for the Penguins.
If the Penguins win, their playoff odds will boost to 41.7%, but if the Predators win in regulation, their odds drop to 0%.
Currently sitting with 23.7% odds, the Penguins are right in the thick of the Eastern Conference race. The Philadelphia Flyers (18%), Washington Capitals (29.4%), and the Detroit Red Wings (33.8%) are all still in the hunt.
The New York Islanders (95.1%) are also still in the running but are way ahead. With a win, they can clinch a playoff berth.
A Penguins loss would be detrimental to their playoff odds, but it wouldn’t take them out of the running just yet. The Red Wings and Capitals also play at the same time, and if they both lose, the Penguins will stay alive.
If the Penguins lose and either the Red Wings or Capitals win, the Penguins will be eliminated from playoff contention.
This is it for the Penguins. Once again, they are about to play in their biggest game of the season, and a loss would almost completely sink their playoff hopes.
If this feels eerily familiar, that’s because it is. The Penguins entered their final home game last year needing a win to put themselves into the postseason but lost to the Chicago Blackhawks. If the Penguins lose, it’s possible they play a meaningless Game 82 for the second straight year.
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