Penguins Playoff Hopes Get Outside Help

The Pittsburgh Penguins got a boost in playoff odds on their day off.

PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Penguins had the day off after their overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t an important night for them. With time winding down on the season, the Penguins are right in the thick of a tight race for the playoffs.

By securing a point against the Maple Leafs, the Penguins were tied with the Detroit Red Wings for the second wild card spot. While the Penguins were resting, every other team in the hunt faced off in important matchups.

The New York Islanders took a win over the New York Rangers to boost their position in third in the Metropolitan Division. The Red Wings lost to the Washington Capitals, letting them leapfrog into the second wild card spot.

This was the matchup to keep an eye on for Penguins fans. No matter who won, they were going to push themselves ahead of the Penguins, but they ended up getting the most advantageous outcome.

According to Dom Luszczyszyn, a Capitals regulation win lowers the cutoff for entry as the eighth seed.

The New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres both lost, eliminating them from playoff contention. The Philadelphia Flyers also suffered a harsh defeat, which put them on the brink of elimination.

Now that the dust has settled on Tuesday night, the Penguins saw their postseason odds take a step in the right direction. According to moneypuck.com, the Penguins now have a 41.3% shot of making the playoffs.

With four games remaining in the season, it’s become a four-team race. The Penguins, Islanders (81.3%), Capitals (42%), and Red Wings (27.9%). The Flyers (7.5%) still have life but have been one of the league’s worst teams over the last few weeks.

The Penguins have matchups remaining against the Red Wings and Islanders; those will be the most critical games in deciding their playoff fate.

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