The Pittsburgh Penguins aren't out of the running, but are going to need to buckle down in the final two games.

PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Penguins entered their weekend matchup with the Boston Bruins in the driver’s seat of the Eastern Conference playoff race. It wasn’t by much, but the Penguins held the second wild card spot and were looking for another big win to keep hope alive.

However, before they could drop the puck against the Bruins, the Penguins were given multiple less-than-ideal outcomes. The Philadelphia Flyers and Washington Capitals won before the Penguins kicked off, and then the Detroit Red Wings snuck out a win before the Penguins game was decided.

With so much working against them, the Penguins didn’t do much to help themselves and took their first regulation loss since March 22. That loss, paired with those other outcomes, forced the Penguins playoff odds to take a nosedive.

According to moneypuck.com, the Penguins went from a 57.2% chance of reaching the playoffs to 21.1%. Of the teams still vying for playoff spots, 21.1% is last in the running.

The Flyers are just ahead, with a 22.7% chance and only one game remaining in their season. Everyone else still has two matches on their ledger.

The Red Wings are next with a 26.1% shot but might have the easiest schedule remaining. The Red Wings will finish their season with a home-and-home series against the Montreal Canadiens.

The Capitals currently hold that second wild card spot but are locked in a three-way tie with the Red Wings and Flyers in standings points. Money Puck gives the Capitals the edge with a 34.3% chance of reaching the postseason.

The New York Islanders have not clinched their spot in the playoffs just yet but are leading the pack in the third Metropolitan Division spot and a 95.8% chance to make it.

The Penguins will need to focus on their final two games and make the most of the time they have left. They'll need to find a way to win and get some more outside help to have a chance to compete in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

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