Penguins Playoff Hopes Get Huge Boost
The Pittsburgh Penguins are getting hot and keeping up in the playoff race.
PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Penguins are fending off an illness in the locker room but still finding ways to secure huge wins. After a dominating victory over the New York Rangers, the Penguins put up a huge third period to defeat the New Jersey Devils.
After securing wins on both ends of a back-to-back, the Penguins are still in the thick of the playoff hunt. According to moneypuck.com, the Penguins playoff odds have increased to 15.1%.
Wins on back-to-back nights have pushed the Penguins' record to 34-30-11 for 79 standings points, just three points behind the second wild card spot.
The Washington Capitals currently hold the Eastern Conference’s second wild card spot and have two games in hand on the Philadelphia Flyers. These two teams are leading the pack in the East’s playoff race. The Capitals have a 54.8% chance at the playoffs, while the Flyers have a 61.9% chance.
The Detroit Red Wings are tied with the Capitals with 82 standings points but have an extra game played. They are still in the running, however, with a 42.8% chance of securing a playoff berth.
The New York Islanders took a much-needed win to keep up in the race. They are a point back of the Capitals and Red Wings with 81 points and a 22.7% chance at the postseason. The Penguins are two points behind the Red Wings.
Thanks to the massive win in New Jersey, the Penguins put a significant damper on the Devils’ playoff chances. The Devils are now a point behind the Buffalo Sabres in the race and have a 1.9% shot at the playoffs.
The Sabres are still well in the back of the race with under a 1% chance.
The Penguins have recorded standings points in six straight games and have so far taken a pair of wins in what was supposed to be one of the hardest nine-game stretches of their season.
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