NHL Playoff Race Update: Red Wings, Islanders Safe Big Wins

As the playoff race within the NHL’s Eastern Conference reaches a fever pitch with simply two weeks remaining within the common season, some huge video games on Monday night time shook up the standings in a serious method.

As 4 groups jockey for the final two playoff spots within the East, the playoff subject for the Western Conference is kind of set in stone. 

So let’s concentrate on what occurred within the East final night time, as this race is getting intense quick.

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NHL Playoff Race: Islanders Stay Alive with OT Win Over Flyers

Last night time was a huge 4-3 additional time win for the New York Islanders over the Philadelphia Flyers, however it may have been greater.

The Islanders gained 4-3 in OT on Brock Nelson’s thirtieth aim of the season, however they let the Flyers choose up an essential further level, as Morgan Frost scored with 10 seconds left on the clock to ship the sport into additional time.

After an enormous hunch seemingly knocked all of them the way in which out of the race a few weeks in the past, the Islanders have labored their method again into the image.

For the Flyers, the OT loss represents a missed alternative to place one other level of distance between them and the hard-charging Washington Capitals, who look poised to overhaul them within the standings quickly.

NHL Playoff Race: Red Wings Pick Up Statement Win over Lightning

Meanwhile, the Detroit Red Wings, who just like the Islanders have been sliding out of the race over the previous month and a half, obtained into the win column with a big 4-2 highway win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Red Wings seemed like a lock to make the playoffs in late January and early February, however a fully disgusting stretch of play has put their season very a lot in peril.

Last night time may go a great distance towards getting them that second wild card spot, as they picked up a degree on the Flyers, who’re their primary competitors for that place. 

David Perron’s late third interval aim gave the Red Wings a 3-2 lead on the finish of regulation, which was added on to by an empty-netter moments later.

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NHL Eastern Conference Playoff Picture

Philadelphia Flyers: 83 factors, 6 video games remaining
Washington Capitals: 82 factors, 9 video games remaining
Detroit Red Wings: 82 factors, 7 video games remaining
New York Islanders: 79 factors, 8 video games remaining

As issues stand, although they’re technically behind the Flyers proper now, the Washington Capitals are firmly within the driver’s seat to win the third place spot within the Metropolitan Division, organising a showdown with the loser of the New York Rangers and the Carolina Hurricanes within the division winner race.

The Capitals have three video games in hand on the Flyers to make up their one level deficit, although the Flyers nonetheless may go on a run to shut the season and earn that spot.

Assuming it’s the Caps within the third Metro spot, although, leaves the Flyers, Red Wings, and Islanders competing for the second and closing wild card spot with the Tampa Bay Lightning securely holding the primary wild card spot.

The Islanders have their subsequent two video games towards bottom-feeders Columbus and Chicago, which make up their two video games in hand on Philadelphia, setting them as much as probably shut that hole and pressure a tie with the Flyers. 

The Islanders’ propensity for dropping after regulation this 12 months is conserving them afloat within the factors race, however it’s going to damage them majorly in any tiebreaker situations.

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