The Pittsburgh Penguins will be relying on outside help in the chase for the postseason.

PITTSBURGH - For a number of weeks, the Pittsburgh Penguins have been focused on their own games and trying to control what they can control when it comes to the playoff race.

They haven’t done a phenomenal job of that as a string of losses at inopportune times has pushed the Penguins out of a playoff spot with not much season left to play.

The New York Islanders and Florida Panthers took over in the wild card race and there are no more games in hand to go around.

Thanks to that, there will be plenty of scoreboard watching taking place for Penguins fans, and it all started during their win over the Minnesota Wild.

While fans will peak around the league, the players remain focused on what’s in front of them.

When Jason Zucker was asked about if he had taken a look at other game scores he said “no idea. Haven’t seen a thing.”

The Penguins took a must-win game over the Wild, but the Islanders and Panthers both put up blowout victories.

All three teams now have three games remaining and there is one commonality that the Penguins can put their hopes in; both the Panthers and Islanders have games against the Washington Capitals.

You heard that right Pens fans, you have to root for the Capitals and hope they can help the Penguins playoff chances.

The Panthers visit Washington first this Saturday and the Islanders travel to the Nation’s capital the following Monday.

The Capitals have been eliminated from postseason contention, but have turned their focus to getting Alex Ovechkin as many goals as possible.

Can the Capitals dumb luck their way to a couple of key wins to help the Penguins?

Tough to say considering the Capitals are riding a five-game losing streak, but anything can happen.

For those really curious, as well, Ovechkin hasn't scored since his power play goal against the Penguins.

At the end of the day, the Penguins need to win more games than either the Islanders or Panthers down the stretch to reach the playoffs.

They don’t need the Capitals to do some of the heavy lifting, but it would go a long way for Pittsburgh.

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