The Bruins are going to eventually going to clinch a playoff berth. That’s not really in doubt with 10 games left. In fact, they’re one of several teams in the Eastern Conference who could do it tonight.
If the Bruins (97 points in 72 games) win and the Red Wings, who are in third place in the Wild Card standings (78 in 71) lose to Washington, then the most Detroit could finish with would 98 points and Boston would have 99.
What the Bruins can still win: Presidents’ Trophy, Atlantic Division, Top seed in Eastern Conference
Here’s where things stand:
Atlantic Division
………………….GP—W-L-OT—Pts
Florida………..71—46-20-5—97
Boston……….72—41-16-15–97
Toronto……….70—40-21-9—89
Tampa Bay…..71—39-25-7 -85
Bruins Games Remaining:
March: 26 at Florida; 27 at Tampa; 30 at Washington;
April: 2 at Nashville; 4 at Carolina; 6 vs. Florida; 9 vs. Carolina; 13 at Pittsburgh; 15 at Washington; 16 vs. Ottawa
Florida Games Remaining
March: 26 vs. Boston; March 28 vs. N.Y. Islanders; March 30 vs. Detroit
April: 1 at Toronto; 2 at Montreal; 4 at Ottawa; 6 at Boston; 9 vs. Ottawa; 11 vs. Columbus; 13 vs. Buffalo; 16 vs. Toronto
Eastern Conference
………………….GP—W-L-OT—Pts
N.Y. Rangers…71—47-20-4-98
Florida………..71—46-20-5—97
Carolina………72—45-20-7—97
Boston……….72—41-16-15–97
Presidents’ Trophy
………………….GP—W-L-OT—Pts
N.Y. Rangers…71—47-20-4-98
Vancouver…….72—45-19-8-98
Colorado……..71—46-20-5—97
Florida………..71—46-20-5—97
Carolina………72—45-20-7—97
Dallas…………72—44-19-9—97
Boston……….72—41-16-15–97
X-Clinched playoff spot
Key Monday results:
Los Angeles at Vancouver (N)
Tuesday scoreboard watching for Bruins:
Boston at Florida, 7 p.m.
Carolina at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.
Philadelphia at N.Y. Rangers, 7 p.m.
New Jersey at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.
Edmonton at Winnipeg, 8 p.m.
Montreal at Colorado, 9 p.m.
Dallas at San Jose, 10:30 p.m.
If the NHL playoffs started today:
EASTERN CONFERENCE
A1) Florida vs. WC2) Washington
M1) New York Rangers vs. WC2) Tampa Bay
A2) Boston vs. A3) Toronto
M2) Carolina vs. M3) Philadelphia
Western Conference
P1) Vancouver vs. WC2) Vegas
C1) Colorado vs. WC1) Nashville
C2) Dallas vs. C3) Winnipeg
P2) Edmonton vs. P3) Los Angeles
