Flyers Magic Number is Now 6; Updated Look at the Playoff Race & Where Things Stand
Kyle Ross-Imagn Images Thursday’s loss to the Detroit Red Wings felt devastating for the Philadelphia Flyers. However, the Columbus Blue Jackets’ loss to the Buffalo Sabres keeps Philly in a playoff position, for now. It also lowered the Flyers’ magic number to six points.
The New York Islanders picked up a win in game one of the Pete DeBoer era, and actually jumped the Blue Jackets in the standings, making this thing even more tight. That turned the tables and made the Islanders the Flyers’ closest competition for the 3rd seed in the Metropolitan Division. If Thursday’s slate shows anything, it’s that the Flyers, Blue Jackets, and Islanders are fighting for the Metropolitan Division 3rd seed.
While it’s not over yet, the Wild Card seems to belong to the Senators, with the Red Wings still alive. After Thursday’s games, here is how the standings look. With every team in the race having three games remaining and the Senators having the most favorable remaining schedule, it looks like they have a good hold on the last Wild Card spot and could even catch the Bruins.
With that said, here is where things stand in the Metro race. Read More: Flyers Postgame Blog: Special Teams Struggles; No Answer for Red Wings’ Stars The Flyers’ magic number is 6, but what else could happen With the Flyers’ loss on Thursday, it takes Saturday out as a possible clinching scenario, despite getting the results they needed in the Blue Jackets and Islanders games. However, clinching their spot before the season finale is still a possibility.
Here is what needs to happen. Flyers pick up 4 pts over the next 2 games (96 pts with 1 game to go) Islanders held to 2 or less pts over the next 2 games (93 pts with 1 game to go) Blue Jackets held to 3 or less pts over the next 2 games (93 pts with 1 game to go) In the event that the Flyers are unable to punch their ticket before the season finale, here are the updated scenarios for the Flyers to punch their ticket at the end of the season based on their record. What the Flyers need to make the playoffs based on record If the Flyers go 3-0-0 (98) Islanders eliminated Blue Jackets eliminated Capitals eliminated In the event the Flyers go 2-0-1 (97) Islanders held to 5 pts (2-0-1) over next 3 games, don’t win out, end at 96 pts Blue Jackets eliminated Capitals eliminated If the Flyers go 2-1-0 or 1-0-2 (96) Islanders held to 2 pts (2-1-0) or (1-0-2) over the next 3 games, and at 95 pts Blue Jackets held to 5 pts (2-0-1) over the next 3 games, end at 95 pts Capitals eliminated In the event the Flyers go 1-1-1 or 0-0-3 (95) Islanders held to 3 pts (1-1-1) or (0-0-3) over the next 3 games, end at 94 pts Blue Jackets held to 4 pts (2-1-0) or (1-0-2) over the next 3 games, end at 94 pts Capitals held to 5 pts, don’t win out If the Flyers go 1-2-0 or 0-1-2 (94) Islanders held to 2 pts (2-1-0) or (0-1-2) over the next 3 games, end at 93 pts Blue Jackets held to 3 pts (1-1-1) or (0-0-3) over the next 3 games, end at 93 pts Capitals held to 4 pts (2-1-0) or (1-0-2) over the next 3 games, and at 93 pts What if the Flyers go 0-2-1 (93) Islanders held to 1 pt (0-2-1) over the next 3 games, end at 92 pts Blue Jackets held to 2 pts (1-2-0) or (0-2-2) over the next 4 games, end at 92 pts Capitals held to 3 pts (1-1-1) or (0-0-3) over the next 3 games, end at 92 pts Flyers don’t earn another point (92) Islanders don’t earn another point over the next 3 games (no win or OTL) Blue Jackets held to 1 pt (0-2-1) over the next 3 games, end at 91 pts Capitals held to 2 pts (1-2-0) or (0-1-2) over the next 3 games, end at 91 pts Remaining schedules Flyers (92) remaining schedule 4/11 @ Jets (80) – 7:00 pm EST 4/13 vs.