Good playoff scenarios write up from Eric Hornick:
All the numbers on the New York Islanders from the team's long-time television statistician.
www.nyiskinny.com
"Magic Number Time
The Isles are guaranteed to finish ahead of Columbus, Montreal, Ottawa, New Jersey, Buffalo, and Philadelphia. They need to finish ahead of (at least) two of these teams to make playoffs (Magic number in parenthesis): Detroit (2), Washington (2), Pittsburgh (1). Thus, their magic number is two to clinch 3rd place in the Metro and is two to clinch a wild card.
Sunday’s Games
None
Monday’s Games (all at 7pm)
Isles at New Jersey
Nashville at Pittsburgh
Boston at Washington
Montreal at Detroit
The Isles will be third in the Metro after Monday’s games regardless of any results.
Monday’s Clinching Scenarios:
IF Isles win – Isles clinch 3rd in Metro
IF Isles lose in OT/SO AND Washington loses in any fashion – Isles clinch 3rd in Metro
IF Isles lose in OT/SO AND Washington wins AND Detroit loses in any fashion – Isles clinch 2nd WC
IF Isles lose in regulation, they would still clinch a playoff spot if AT LEAST two of these things happen:
• Washington loses in regulation
• Detroit loses in regulation
• Pittsburgh loses in any fashion
(If Washington loses in regulation and Pittsburgh loses in any fashion, Isles would clinch 3rd in Metro; otherwise the Isles would clinch 2nd wild card with this combination.)"