With four games left, the Bruins would need wins and help, but they’re are still in contention to earn the best record in the NHL and the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
They need to just take care of business to earn an Atlantic Division title. The playoffs are coming soon, but the last four games will have some impact.
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Here’s what the Bruins can still win and how:
Atlantic Division
The Bruins are currently in first place and have 107 points with four games left. They’re five points ahead of the Panthers, who have 102 and also have four games remaining.
The Panthers can’t get more than 110 points. Any combination of points earned by Boston or not earned by Florida will secure the division title for Boston and a matchup against a wild card team. Florida finishes with four straight home games. They host Ottawa at home on Tuesday followed by Thursday vs. Columbus, Saturday vs. Buffalo and April 16 vs. Toronto.
Mathematically, the Maple Leafs could still win. But with five games left and 99 points, the most they could finish with is 109. Any combination of two points earned by the Bruins or not earned by Toronto eliminates the Leafs from division title contention. Toronto, who beat Pittsburgh Monday, are at New Jersey on Tuesday followed by a game at home vs. New Jersey on Thursday and Detroit, on Saturday. They’re at Florida on April 16 and at Tampa on April 17.
Eastern Conference top seed
The Bruins are currently second in the Eastern Conference. They’re three points behind the Rangers. Both teams have four games left to play. But the lead is a little larger than that because New York has seven more victories than Boston so they’re guaranteed the tie-breaker if the teams finish tied.
The most points the Bruins can get is 115. So any combination of five points that the Rangers earn or the Bruins fail to earn would eliminate Boston from No. 1 seed consideration. The Rangers have a home and home left with the Islanders including Tuesday on Long Island and have home games vs. Philadelphia and Ottawa.
Carolina (105 points with four games left) would have to pass the Rangers to finish with a higher seed than the Bruins.
Presidents’ Trophy
The Rangers lead here too, so all of the information above applies. Dallas is in the mix. They’re tied with the Bruins with 107 points but have three more wins than Boston. So for the Bruins to win their second straight Presidents’ Trophy, they’d not only need to pass the Rangers but also finish higher than the Stars, who have four home games left against Buffalo, Winnipeg, Seattle and St. Louis.
