Islanders' path to the playoffs: How it can happen

The Bruins and Senators clinched wild-card berths on Saturday, leaving third place in the Metropolitan Division as the only playoff spot left in the Eastern Conference.

The first three tiebreakers, in order, are regulation wins (RW), regulation or overtime wins (ROW) and then total wins (W).

Here’s a breakdown:

Islanders

Record: 43-32-5, sixth place Metropolitan Division

Points: 91

RW: 29

ROW: 39

W: 43

Maximum Points: 95

Games remaining: vs. Canadiens on Sunday; vs. Hurricanes on Tuesday

Can reach third place if all of these happen:

1. Win both games

2. Flyers lose twice in any fashion

3. Blue Jackets gain no more than two points and Capitals gain no more than three

Flyers

Record: 41-27-12, third place Metropolitan Division

Points: 94

RW: 26

ROW: 31

W: 41

Maximum points: 98

Games remaining: vs. Hurricanes on Monday; Vs. Canadiens on Tuesday

Blue Jackets

Record: 40-28-12, fourth place Metropolitan Division

Points: 92

RW: 28

ROW: 32

W: 40

Maximum points: 96

Games remaining: vs. Bruins on Sunday; vs. Capitals on Tuesday

Capitals

Record: 41-30-9, fifth place Metropolitan Division

Points: 91

RW: 35

ROW: 38

W: 41

Maximum points: 95

Games remaining: vs. Penguins on Sunday; at Blue Jackets on Tuesday.  

By Andrew Gross

andrew.gross@newsday.comAGrossNewsday

Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.