With a win over the Devils tonight, the Penguins could clinch a playoff spot tonight for the first time since 2022.
There are a couple of other scenarios, too. They could lose in overtime, and still clinch tonight if the Blue Jackets lose to the Sabres. Or, if the Blue Jackets lose that game in regulation and the Islanders lose to the Maple Leafs, the Penguins would clinch tonight regardless of what they do here in Newark, N.J.
The Penguins aren't concerning themselves with those out-of-town scoreboards and other scenarios. They want to win their way in.
"I don't think (the out-of-town scores) mean too much for us," Connor Clifton said. "We're trying to play well, and we're getting some wins. It's really in our hands. We played a lot of the teams in it, we figured it was gonna work itself out. First and foremost, it's about us and getting points, and we've done that."
Does the clinching scenario give this game a playoff-like feel? Maybe, but it's bigger than that. With the playoffs nearly secured, the Penguins are looking keep elevating their game to get ready for Game 1.
"Going into playoffs, everybody wants to be playing their best and put their best foot forward," Clifton said. "So we're trying to do that every day, no matter our opponent."
THE ASYLUM
Penguins looking to win their way into playoffs
With a win over the Devils tonight, the Penguins could clinch a playoff spot tonight for the first time since 2022.
There are a couple of other scenarios, too. They could lose in overtime, and still clinch tonight if the Blue Jackets lose to the Sabres. Or, if the Blue Jackets lose that game in regulation and the Islanders lose to the Maple Leafs, the Penguins would clinch tonight regardless of what they do here in Newark, N.J.
The Penguins aren't concerning themselves with those out-of-town scoreboards and other scenarios. They want to win their way in.
"I don't think (the out-of-town scores) mean too much for us," Connor Clifton said. "We're trying to play well, and we're getting some wins. It's really in our hands. We played a lot of the teams in it, we figured it was gonna work itself out. First and foremost, it's about us and getting points, and we've done that."
Does the clinching scenario give this game a playoff-like feel? Maybe, but it's bigger than that. With the playoffs nearly secured, the Penguins are looking keep elevating their game to get ready for Game 1.
"Going into playoffs, everybody wants to be playing their best and put their best foot forward," Clifton said. "So we're trying to do that every day, no matter our opponent."
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