A Look At the Math, 3/8/11

The math for tonight’s docket is a mess, so I’m going to dispense with the pleasantries.

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS. Can clinch 14 East with a win, overtime, shootout, or any Ottawa loss.

BOSTON BRUINS. Can clinch 14 East AND 4 Northeast with a win and any Ottawa loss, OR an overtime/shootout loss and an Ottawa regulation loss.

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS. Can clinch 14 East with a win and any Ottawa loss, OR an overtime/shootout loss and an Ottawa regulation loss.

FLORIDA PANTHERS. Would be eliminated from President’s Trophy consideration with a regulation loss; a Vancouver win; or an overtime/shootout loss and a Vancouver overtime/shootout loss.

NEW YORK ISLANDERS. Would be eliminated from 1 Atlantic, and thereby 3 East, with a regulation loss and a Philadelphia win.

OTTAWA SENATORS. Would be eliminated from 1 East with any loss, or a Philadelphia win, overtime, or shootout. Would be eliminated from 2 East with any loss and a Pittsburgh win, or a shootout loss and a Pittsburgh regulation loss. Would be eliminated from 1 Northeast, and 3 East, with any loss and a Boston win, or a shootout loss and a Boston regulation loss.

VANCOUVER CANUCKS. Can clinch 13 West, and 3 Northwest, with a win, overtime, shootout, or any Colorado loss.

COLORADO AVALANCHE. Would be eliminated from 1 Northwest, and thereby 3 West, with any loss, or a Vancouver win, overtime, or shootout.

The Caps’ magic number to clinch the playoffs is 18; their doomsday number is 43.

CAPITAL SPIRIT
AND DOWN THE STRETCH THEY COME