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NHL Death Watch: The final elimination night
Since we're down to the final moments of postseason life for teams in contention, Puck Daddy solemnly begins a daily countdown to annihilation.
Saturday night will determine the playoff matchups in the Western Conference, put the Eastern Conference in sharper focus and, most importantly, will determine if the Columbus Blue Jackets’ miracle run ends with their second playoff berth in franchise history.
Coming up, the playoff pictures for the East and West, as we shift the focus to playoff seeding. The full NHL standings and schedules can be found on Y! Sports.
All playoff percentages are from Sports Club Stats; tragic numbers and other figures via the NHL. A team is eliminated from play-offs when their "Tragic Number" hits 0.
Team (Games Remaining) | Place/Pts/ROW | Tragic # | % Chance of 6th | % Chance of 7th | % Chance of 8th |
Toronto Maple Leafs (1) | 5th/57/26 | - | 92 | 8 | - |
New York Islanders (0) | 6th/55/20 | - | 3 | 33 | 64 |
Ottawa Senators (2) | 7th/54/20 | - | 49 | 30 | 13 |
New York Rangers (1) | 8th/54/21 | - | 39 | 37 | 23 |
Saturday’s showdowns:
Boston Bruins at Washington Capitals: The Bruins have two games remaining, including the Senators on Sunday. They’re tied with Montreal in points, but would lose the tie-breaker if they end up tied in points.
Montreal Canadiens at Toronto Maple Leafs: The Leafs can still be caught by the Senators, but can clinch the No. 5 seed with at least a point against the Habs.
Philadelphia Flyers at Ottawa Senators: The Sens have another game on Sunday at the Bruins. The Sens can finish anywhere from 5th to 8th.
New Jersey Devils at New York Rangers: The Rangers can finish anywhere between 6th and 8th. With one point, they will finish ahead of the Islanders.
Team (Games Remaining) | Place/Pts/ROW | Tragic # | % Chance of Playoffs | % Chance of 7th | % Chance of 8th | ||||
St. Louis Blues (1) | 4th/58/23 | - | IN | - | - | ||||
Los Angeles Kings (1) | 5th/57/24 | - | IN | - | - | ||||
San Jose Sharks (1) | 6th/57/17 | - | IN | - | - | ||||
Detroit Red Wings (1) | 7th/54/21 | - | 84.8 | 62 | 23 | ||||
Minnesota Wild (1) | 8th/53/21 | - | 69.6 | 27 | 42 | ||||
Columbus Blue Jackets (1) | 9th/53/18 | 2 | 45.5 | 11 | 35 | ||||
Chicago Blackhawks at St. Louis Blues: The Blues clinch home ice in the No. 4/5 series with a win over the Blackhawks.
San Jose Sharks at Los Angeles Kings: The winner gets into the 4/5 series; the loser draws Vancouver in the first round. Let’s go Sharks! Kings vs. ‘Nucks!
Detroit Red Wings at Dallas Stars: The Red Wings win and they’re in, but they’re also in with a Blue Jackets loss of any kind.
Minnesota Wild at Colorado Avalanche: If the Wild win and the Wings lose, the Wild take 7th. If they win and the Wings win, the Wild get eighth. If the Wild lose and the Jackets get one point, the Wild are out. If the Wild lose and the Jackets lose, the Wild get eighth.
Nashville Predators at Columbus Blue Jackets: If the Jackets win and the Red Wings lose in regulation, the Jackets are in. Or if the Wild only get one point and the Jackets win, they’re in.
