Penguins Playoff Odds Following Win Over Hurricanes
Despite a big win over the Carolina Hurricanes, the Pittsburgh Penguins don't have an easier road to the postseason.
PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Penguins secured a surprising win over one of the top teams in the NHL, yet their odds of making the postseason didn’t move. According to moneypuck.com, the Penguins entered their game against the Carolina Hurricanes with a 1.6% chance of reaching the postseason.
Despite the shocking victory, the Penguins woke up the following day with their odds going in the wrong direction. Money Puck holds the Penguins’ playoff odds at 1.3%. It’s a slight decline, but it wasn’t the boost that may have been expected.
A few factors contribute to the lack of movement; one is that teams are starting to clinch playoff berths. The New York Rangers became the first team to secure their spot with a win over the Philadelphia Flyers.
Three other teams, including the Hurricanes, had a chance to clinch, but the Penguins played spoiler for the night.
Other factors that make the road tough for the Penguins is that almost everyone they’re in the fight with secured at least one standings point. The Washington Capitals jumped into the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, overtaking the Detroit Red Wings. Those two met and went to overtime, with the Capitals being the eventual winner.
That win gave the Capitals a 65.5% chance at the playoffs, while the Red Wings' chance dipped to 29.6%.
The New Jersey Devils secured two huge points over the Toronto Maple Leafs, elevating them up the standings and in their odds of reaching the postseason. The Devils now hold a clean 12% chance.
The New York Islanders (4.7%) and Buffalo Sabres (1.6%) didn’t play but are with the Penguins in clinging on to their low percentages.
Entering the final 11 games of the season, the Penguins hold a 31-30-10 record for 72 standings points. The Capitals hold that second wild card nine points ahead with 81. The Penguins will need to play near-perfect hockey and get a ton of outside help if they want to keep playing well into April.
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