As it turned out, even if the Bruins had beaten the Capitals on Monday, the Rangers’ victory over the Senators at Madison Square Garden, which ended shortly after, would have ended Boston’s chances of either winning the Presidents’ Trophy or clinching the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
So that leaves the Atlantic Division as the only prize left on the regular season table for the Bruins. Boston has 109 points (47-19-15) while Florida has 108 (51-24-6). The Bruins close their regular season at home against Ottawa on Tuesday, while Florida hosts Toronto.
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The Bruins can still win the Atlantic in the following ways:
- Boston beats Ottawa at TD Garden on Tuesday
- Florida loses to Toronto in regulation
- Boston and Florida both lose their games in overtime.
The Atlantic Division winner will play Tampa Bay in the first round, while whoever finishes second will face Toronto. The Bruins are almost certain to play Saturday no matter where they finish with the Celtics opening their postseason on Sunday at TD Garden.
There are games on Wednesday and Thursday, but Boston will be done and their playoff situation decided.
Beating Boston kept Washington in control of its own fate. They’re currently the second wild card. If they beat the Flyers in Philadelpha on Tuesday, they’ll clinch that spot.
Atlantic Division
………………….GP—W-L-OT—Pts
Boston-x…….81—47-19-15-109
Florida-x…….81—51-24-6—108
Games Remaining:
Bruins: Tuesday vs. Ottawa
Florida: Tuesday vs. Toronto
If the NHL playoffs started today:
EASTERN CONFERENCE
M1) New York Rangers vs. WC2) Washington
A1) Boston vs. WC1) Tampa Bay
A2) Florida vs. A3) Toronto
M2) Carolina vs. M3) New York Islanders
WESTERN CONFERENCE
C1) Dallas vs. WC2) Vegas
P1) Vancouver vs. WC2) Nashville
C2) Winnipeg vs. C3) Colorado
P2) Edmonton vs. P3) Los Angeles
NHL Tiebreakers
If two or more clubs are tied in points during the regular season, the standing of the clubs is determined in the following order:
1. The fewer number of games played (i.e., superior points percentage).
2. The greater number of games won, excluding games won in Overtime or by Shootout (i.e., ‘Regulation Wins’). This figure is reflected in the RW column.
3. The greater number of games won, excluding games won by Shootout. This figure is reflected in the ROW column.
4. The greater number of games won by the Club in any manner (i.e., ‘Total Wins’). This figure is reflected in the W column.
5. The greater number of points earned in games against each other among two or more tied clubs.
- For the purpose of determining standing for two or more Clubs that have not played an even number of games with one or more of the other tied Clubs, the first game played in the city that has the extra game (the ‘odd game’) shall not be included.
- When more than two Clubs are tied, the percentage of available points earned in games among each other (and not including any ‘odd games’) shall be used to determine standing.
6. The greater differential between goals for and against (including goals scored in Overtime or awarded for prevailing in Shootouts) for the entire regular season. This figure is reflected in the DIFF column.
7. The greater number of goals scored (including goals scored in Overtime or awarded for prevailing in Shootouts) for the entire regular season. This figure is reflected in the GF column
