PITTSBURGH – The 2024 NHL Playoffs are five weeks away, and the Pittsburgh Penguins are still clinging to hope they can find their way back to the dance. After missing by just a single point last season, the Penguins seem to be in a worse position this time, but the playoff picture is still very much in sight.
After a massive win over the Detroit Red Wings, the Penguins saw their odds of making the postseason leapfrog. Heading into the Sunday night matchup, moneypuck.com gave the Penguins a 5.4% chance of making the playoffs. Following the 6-3 win, the Penguins’ odds jumped to 11.2%.
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.”
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