The Penguins were unable to come up with a victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday evening. They were however able to secure a lone standings point by getting the game to overtime. With so few games remaining wins are at a premium. If you can’t pull out one of those getting the bonus point can be the difference between making the playoffs and missing out.

Currently the Penguins are on the outside looking in. Here is a look at the standings from the NHL

Things are packed and can go many different directions. Working in the Penguins favor is they have head to head matchups with the Detroit Red Wings (their next game) and the New York Islanders (their final game of the season). Winning those two games in regulation would undoubtedly be huge results for them and their playoff aspirations. Thos are the two teams currently with better odds of making the playoffs.

The other two games are against Boston and Nashville, two teams who are currently holding down playoff spots with Boston leading the highly competitive Atlantic Division. This is a long way of saying the Penguins do not have any “easy” games left. They are going to have to keep digging deep and finding a way to earn a result.

What is promising is the Penguins have been playing really well as of late. Against the Maple Leafs they had an xGF% of 62.15. Last game against the Lightning they were 65.66. The team is invested and are putting their best foot forward in these games.

There are 13 games tonight and here are some of the pertinent matchups for the Penguins:

Detroit vs Washington is one of the most volatile games this evening as far as playoff probabilities are concerned.

Biggest game of the year so far tonight. 40 percentage point swing for the Wings and 33 point swing for the Caps https://t.co/QDOrXeNeuZ pic.twitter.com/MVRrerO7DK

— MoneyPuck.com (@MoneyPuckdotcom) April 9, 2024

I think a Capitals regulation win is probably the most ideal outcome based on the numbers. Either way, root for a regulation win. A bonus point in this game isn’t going to help the Penguins.

The Flyers are playing the Canadiens and this one is simple. Canadiens over Flyers in regulation is ideal. Same for the Rangers vs the Islanders. A Rangers regulation win would be quite helpful.

Pittsburgh has been fortunate with some of these results lately. Let’s hope the trend continues.

Thanks for reading!

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