Big Win Boosts Penguins Playoff Odds

The increase to 11.2% pushed the Penguins over the New Jersey Devils, who dropped from 9.7% to 8.9%.

These are low percentages and nowhere near where the Penguins want to be, but they aren't giving up. They are just five points behind the Red Wings who sit in the second wild card position and hold a 24.9% chance.

The Eastern Conference playoff race is tight with at least six teams in the mix. The Washington Capitals (37.8%) and New York Islanders (29.5%) are tied just one point out of the wild card with 73 points. Then the Penguins slot in with 69 points, but are tied with the Buffalo Sabres (6.7%). The New Jersey Devils also aren’t dead yet with 68 points.

Head coach Mike Sullivan says he’s never seen this kind of congestion as the playoffs approach, but he’s excited about the opportunity.

“I don’t know that it’s ever been this tight, with this many teams,” Sullivan said. “It’s hard not to scoreboard watch this time of year.”

The Penguins have 15 games remaining and haven’t had a great run, but they are keeping their spirits high. With an 8-11-2 record since the All-Star break, they still need to find more consistency in the win column.

“We certainly have opportunities still in front of us that we need to take advantage of.”