Penguins Separate Themselves in Playoff Odds Race
The Pittsburgh Penguins have helped themselves, and got outside assistance in growing their postseason odds.
PITTSBURGH - Not only did the Pittsburgh Penguins get an important win against the Philadelphia Flyers, but almost every other team around them in the playoff hunt lost in some fashion.
The Penguins jumped to the first wild card spot, but have three huge battles against the New York Rangers coming in the next seven days.
With under 20 games remaining in the season, a spot in the playoffs still isn’t guaranteed, but teams (or just the Boston Bruins) have started clinching spots in the postseason.
For the Penguins, their chances remain really high as according to moneypuck.com, they hold a 92.1% chance to make the playoffs.
The two wild card spots in the Eastern Conference are likely getting locked up by the Penguins and New York Islanders (46.9%), but there are other teams coasting around looking to strike.
The Florida Panthers (39.1%) are three points out of the wild card, but have a game in hand; the Ottawa Senators (15.7%) are 6-4 in their last 10 but are a lot of people’s sleeper pick to make it.
Beyond the Senators in terms of percentages, there are still three teams alive, but the odds take a huge dip.
The Washington Capitals (6.9%) sold off a few pieces at the trade deadline and seem to be turning their attention to getting Alex Ovechkin the puck as much as possible.
Don’t be surprised if they dumb luck their way near the postseason if Ovechkin goes on a massive tear.
The Buffalo Sabres (3.4%) showed what they are made of this season and should look to come back stronger next year.
If they can find solid goaltending, the Sabres could be a scary team for a long time.
Believe it or not, the Detroit Red Wings (.5%) still hold a percentage to make the dance, but they’ve also sold off pieces and are waving the white flag.
The math continues to look good for the Penguins, but they’re in the midst of the most important two weeks of the season.
After going 2-0-1 in the first half, they have four games in the next seven nights to solidify their hold on the postseason.
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