The picture for the Penguins' first-round opponent got a bit more clear on Sunday: The Islanders were eliminated from playoff contention with a 4-1 loss to the Canadiens.
The Capitals' win over the Penguins and the Blue Jackets' 3-2 loss to the Bruins had the Capitals leapfrog the Blue Jackets in the standings, still both behind the Flyers in third place:
The Flyers host the Hurricanes on Monday, and the Canadiens on Tuesday. The Capitals and Blue Jackets' last game is against each other on Columbus on Tuesday. So, that means:
• If the Flyers get at least a single point in their next two games, it eliminates the Blue Jackets.
• If the Flyers win either of their remaining games in any fashion, or lose both games in OT/shootout, they clinch the third seed and eliminate the Capitals and Blue Jackets.
• If the Flyers lose their last two games in regulation, the Penguins' first-round opponent would be the winner of the Capitals and Blue Jackets game.
• If the Flyers lose one of their remaining games in regulation and another in an overtime or shootout, and the Capitals beat the Blue Jackets, the Penguins would play the Capitals.
THE ASYLUM
The Flyers' clinching scenarios
The picture for the Penguins' first-round opponent got a bit more clear on Sunday: The Islanders were eliminated from playoff contention with a 4-1 loss to the Canadiens.
The Capitals' win over the Penguins and the Blue Jackets' 3-2 loss to the Bruins had the Capitals leapfrog the Blue Jackets in the standings, still both behind the Flyers in third place:
The Flyers host the Hurricanes on Monday, and the Canadiens on Tuesday. The Capitals and Blue Jackets' last game is against each other on Columbus on Tuesday. So, that means:
• If the Flyers get at least a single point in their next two games, it eliminates the Blue Jackets.
• If the Flyers win either of their remaining games in any fashion, or lose both games in OT/shootout, they clinch the third seed and eliminate the Capitals and Blue Jackets.
• If the Flyers lose their last two games in regulation, the Penguins' first-round opponent would be the winner of the Capitals and Blue Jackets game.
• If the Flyers lose one of their remaining games in regulation and another in an overtime or shootout, and the Capitals beat the Blue Jackets, the Penguins would play the Capitals.
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