Pens Win Adds to Playoff-Seeding Drama

The Pens win Saturday afternoon over Atlanta coupled with New Jersey’s win Saturday over Carolina has made things just about as interesting as they can possibly get heading into the regular season’s final week. Amazingly, both teams have identical 45-26-7 records after 78 games. What are the odds? The Devils, of course, own the tie-breaker due to their dominance of the Pens this season.

So, what’s at stake over the last four games? Obviously, the Atlantic Division crown and the 2 or 3 seed. The loser will end up no worse than the 5 seed, most likely 4. In my opinion, the winner of the Pens/Devils race will win an even bigger prize – avoiding Washington, who clinched the 1 seed, until the Conference finals. I don’t know about you, but I’d much rather face the Caps in the third round than the second; assuming, of course, the Pens are victorious in their first two series.

Anyway, here are the remaining schedules for Pittsburgh and New Jersey.

Devils
Tuesday – @ Atlanta
Thursday – @ Florida
Saturday – vs. Islanders
Sunday – vs. Buffalo

Penguins
Tuesday – vs. Washington
Thursday – vs. Islanders
Saturday – @ Atlanta
Sunday – @ Islanders

The Pens have the toughest game remaining (against the Caps). Other than that, the schedules are pretty even. Both teams have two at home and two on the road. Both teams play the Islanders and Panthers, two teams well out of playoff contention. Fortunately, the Pens play the Isle twice, which could be the difference.

As for the bottom half of the conference, here’s how things look as of Sunday night:

6. Montreal – 86 points (3 games remaining)
7. Boston – 84 points (4 games remaining)
8. Philadelphia – 84 points (3 games remaining)
9. N.Y. Rangers – 82 points (4 games remaining)

I think the Habs and Bruins are going to make it, meaning the 8 seed will probably come down to two Atlantic Division rivals. Philly, despite winning Sunday afternoon, has been downright terrible of late, going 3-6-1 in their last 10 games. The Rangers, on the other hand, have won 5 of their last 6 and have a game in hand. Keep in mind, these two squads end the season with a home-and-home Saturday and Sunday. A playoff spot will most likely be on the line, making for an extra-intense two-game series.

Random Thought on Saturday’s Game
When Jordan Leopold’s shot somehow got past Atlanta’s Johan Hedberg in OT, I actually felt bad for the Thrashers (after feeling plenty happy for the good guys). After all, this is a team that somehow remained in playoff contention after trading away its star player before the deadline. And it’s the same team with a somewhat awful history. They needed 2 points from that game badly, and they blew it big-time. It’s weird – I was actually rooting for the Thrashers to make the playoffs until I realized we played them twice over the last 5 games of the season. Oh, well, maybe next year, Atlanta.