PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Think of the NHL Wild Card standings a week ago, it seemed everyone was closing hard on the Penguins. Days later it looks favorable for keeping the longest current playoff streak of the major four sports alive.
Last Monday night, following a 6-0 loss at the Rangers-the third loss of the week, the Pens were home to Ottawa. The hard-charging, up-and-coming, young Senators found a way to win at PPG Paints Arena even though the Pens had 49 shots on goal.
The talk was of the Pens playing their game. The old ‘the results will come if they keep playing this way’ talk. It seemed like just words to fill an interview. They would have to play at two of the best teams in the West and then host their rival, who has seemed to find its game.
Wouldn’t you know the Pens play one of their best games of the season and get a win in Colorado and then despite a loss the next night, play good hockey in Dallas. They would dominate the Capitals for a couple of periods. This time when they blew a lead in the third to seemingly throw the good from the week away, Evgeni Malkin scored the gamer for a 4-3 win. It not only gave the Pens two points, but Washington none.
Now the playoff picture looks much brighter after some other teams struggled this week.
Wild Card Standings
Islanders-74 games 83 points
· After a blowout win over Toronto, lost to last place Columbus and shutout by Buffalo
· New York hosts the Devils on Monday and then at Washington Wednesday, then a weekend of back-to-back games at Tampa Bay and Carolina.
Pens-73 games 82 points
· At Detroit on Tuesday before hosting Nashville Thursday, then weekend home games with Boston and Philadelphia.
Florida-73 games 79 points
· Following a win over Detroit, the Panthers were blown out by the Flyers and Maple Leafs before blowing their own 2-0 lead in a loss to the Rangers.
· Four road games this week, at Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal and Columbus
Buffalo-72 games 76 points
· Blown out by Boston and the Predators early in the week, the Sabres beat the Devils and Islanders.
· Home games with Montreal and the Rangers Friday, then an April Fools Day Game at Philadelphia on Saturday
Washington-74 games 76 points
· Going 1-3 last week including a loss to Columbus, the Caps host the Islanders on Wednesday and then play Thursday night in Tampa before a home game with the Rangers on Sunday.
Feels like the playoffs already with the elation of every win and increased importance of every loss. As the weekend played out, the Pens odds to make the post-season increased to 81.8% according to moneypuck.com, it’s actually higher than the Islanders chances.
It was a good week overall, how will we feel next Monday?