Penguins Bumped Out of Playoff Spot
The Pittsburgh Penguins didn't get the needed outside help and are again out of a playoff spot.
PITTSBURGH – After a huge win over the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Pittsburgh Penguins held a playoff spot, but it didn’t last long. After about 24 hours, the Penguins are once again on the outside looking in.
This time, however, the Penguins are more in control of their destiny than in weeks past. They would always need some outside help, they just didn’t get it on this night.
The Detroit Red Wings found their second win in seven games to hurdle back into the second wild card spot with 84 points. The Penguins are just one point out with 83.
While the Penguins are close to being back in the fight, they are locked in a three-way tie. The Penguins, the Washington Capitals, and the Philadelphia Flyers are all knotted at 83 points. Aside from the Flyers, each team has played in 77 games. The New York Islanders, who hold third position in the Metropolitan Division, also sit on 77 games.
The Capitals earned an overtime point against the Ottawa Senators but couldn't jump back into wild card positioning just yet.
It’s going to be a photo finish for the Penguins, who head into a tough battle with the Toronto Maple Leafs with a 38.2% chance of reaching the postseason, according to moneypuck.com. Thanks to the Red Wings’ win, they jumped from 37.6% to 51.4%.
The main goal for the Penguins will be to notch as many points as possible but come up huge in two of the biggest games they have remaining on the ledger. This week, against the Red Wings and Game 82 against the Islanders.
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