When Can Penguins Be Eliminated? ‘Losing’ Magic Number Calculations

The Pittsburgh Penguins could be eliminated from the playoffs within the next week, according to calculations by PlayoffStatus.com.

The website ran the calculations for magic numbers to clinch playoff berths and to be eliminated. Somewhat remarkably, the Washington Capitals’ magic number to clinch is 10 wins or 20 points with 11 games remaining. The Detroit Red Wings have 10 games remaining, and according to the website, they have a 61% chance of missing the playoffs, thereby extending their postseason drought to seven years.

The Capitals and Red Wings are the teams realistically vying for the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot.

Conversely, the Penguins’ magic number to be eliminated is seven wins/14 points by the Capitals. Any combination of Capitals points won and Penguins points lost lowers the number proportionally.

The Capitals could also finish in third place in the Metro Division, as they trail the Philadelphia Flyers by two points with two games in hand. The Capitals’ magic number for third place is 11 wins/22 points, while Philadelphia’s number to clinch a playoff berth is also 10 wins/20 points.

Clinching magic numbers

Capitals: 10 wins/20 points for the wild card, 11 wins/22 points for third place.

Red Wings: 11 wins/22 points for the wild card.

The New York Islanders trail Washington by four points and have played one more game. The Islanders losing magic number is eight wins/16 points.