With five remaining, the Florida Panthers have experienced some serious ups and downs in the 2017-18, and despite the odds, the Panthers can still find their way into the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Let's look at each scenario in which the Cats could make the playoffs for the just the third time since the 1999-2000 season. The least likely scenarios will be listed first and go in order to the most probable.
Florida Panthers: 39-30-8 86 points
Remaining Schedule:
Monday March 2 vs Carolina Hurricanes
Tuesday March 3 vs Nashville Predators
Thursday March 5 vs Boston Bruins
Saturday March 7 vs Buffalo Sabres
Sunday March 8 at Boston Bruins
Ten Points Available
At first glance, the fact that four of the five remaining games will be played at the BB&T Center in Sunrise where the Panthers have a 23-11-3 record, shows Florida still has a chance. In order for any of these scenarios to work for the Cats, a minimum of seven out of ten points must be acquired. The games against Carolina and Buffalo are absolute must-wins, since it's very unlikely they'll beat Boston twice and Nashville.
So how do can the Panthers still get in?
1. Philadelphia Flyers: 40-25-14 94 points
Remaining Schedule:
Tuesday March 3 at New York Islanders
Thursday March 5 vs Carolina Hurricanes
Saturday March 7 vs New York Rangers
Six Points Available
What needs to happen for the Panthers to overtake the Flyers?
Philadelphia needs a three point swing in order to clinch the playoffs. Any Flyers win or loss in overtime or a shootout, combined with a Florida loss in regulation will seal the deal. If the Flyers lose all three remaining games in regulation, Florida would need to win four out of five games to overtake them.
According to PlayoffStatus.com, even with three regulation loses, Philly would still have an 85% chance of making the playoffs. Despite being behind Columbus in the standings, the Flyers actually have a significantly easier schedule than Columbus, taking on three non-playoff teams. For this reason, it's determined the Flyers have a slight edge to finish higher than Columbus in the standings, this making this the least likely path for the Panthers to make the playoffs.
2. Columbus Blue Jackets: 44-29-6 94 points
Remaining Schedule:
Tuesday March 3 vs Detroit Red Wings
Thursday March 5 vs Pittsburgh Penguins
Saturday March 7 at Nashville Predators
Six Points Available
What needs to happen for the Panthers to overtake the Blue Jackets?
The Jackets are in the same position as Philadelphia, needing a three point swing in order to clinch the playoffs. Any Columbus win or loss in overtime or a shootout, combined with a Florida loss in regulation will clinch a playoff spot, and will mark the first time in franchise history the Blue Jackets make the playoffs in consecutive seasons. If the Blue Jackets lose all three remaining games in regulation, Florida would need to win four out of five games to overtake Columbus.
As with the Flyers, even with three regulation loses, the Jackets still have an 85% chance to make the playoffs.
3. New Jersey Devils: 42-28-9 93 points
Remaining Schedule:
Tuesday March 3 vs New York Rangers
Thursday March 5 vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Saturday March 7 at Washington Capitals
Six Points Available
What needs to happen for the Panthers to overtake the New Jersey Devils?
Any Devils win combined with a Florida regulation loss ends the Panthers pursuit of New Jersey. If the Devils lose their three remaining games, the Panthers need at least three wins (with two in regulation or overtime) and an OT/SO loss to clinch a spot. With games against Toronto and Washington, New Jersey has a difficult last couple games of the season.
If the Devils were to lose out all their remaining three games, the Panthers have a 17% chance of making the playoffs.
Every night is a must-win for this Panthers team from here on out. Whether the Panthers make or miss the playoffs, this has been an incredible two month ride. If Florida misses the playoffs, some may say it would've been better to be down in the standings to get better draft positioning. However, this team has a pretty good core of players.
Aleksander Barkov and Vincent Trocheck are excellent pivots to have centering the top two lines. Aaron Ekblad has taken a huge step forward this year and Jonathan Huberdeau continues to be one of the most underrated wingers in the NHL. The depth problem at forward should be solved internally as the Panthers have a few players coming that could make the team as early as next year.
The future is bright for the Panthers, but unless they're officially eliminated there is still reason to be excited, and continue following what has been an exciting run to the finish line.
Florida Panthers Blogger • 
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