How Bruins’ win impacted Atlantic Division, NHL playoff race

Boston Bruins’ James van Riemsdyk (21) and Florida Panthers’ Brandon Montour (62) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, April 6, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)AP

By beating Florida in overtime on Saturday, the Bruins stretched their lead over the Panthers in the Atlantic Division to five points with four games to go.

The highest point total Florida can still reach is 110, while Boston is already at 107 meaning the Bruins are likely to win the division.

The Rangers have a one-point lead on the Bruins and a game in hand for both the Eastern Conference’s top seed and the Presidents’ Trophy.

Tampa’s loss to Pittsburgh in a wild game Saturday leaves them four points behind Toronto, who has a game in hand, meaning the Atlantic Division is likely to remain: 1. Boston, 2. Florida, 3. Toronto and 4. Tampa

What the Bruins can still win:

Atlantic Division, Top seed in Eastern Conference, Presidents’ Trophy

Here’s where things stand for Boston after Saturday’s win:

Atlantic Division

………………….GP—W-L-OT—Pts

Boston-x…….78—46-17-15-107

Florida-x…….78—48-24-6—102

Toronto……….76—44-23-9—97

Tampa Bay…..77—43-27-7 —93

Bruins Games Remaining:

April: 9 vs. Carolina; 13 at Pittsburgh; 15 at Washington; 16 vs. Ottawa

Florida Games Remaining:

April: 9 vs. Ottawa; 11 vs. Columbus; 13 vs. Buffalo; 16 vs. Toronto

New York Rangers Games Remaining:

April: 7 vs. Montreal; 9 at N.Y. Islanders; 11 vs. Philadelphia, 13 vs. N.Y. Islanders; 15. vs. Ottawa

Eastern Conference

……………………GP—W-L-OT—Pts

N.Y.Rangers-X…77-52-21-4-108

Boston-x………78—46-17-15-107

Carolina-x…….77—48-22-7—103

Florida-x………78—48-24-6—102

Presidents’ Trophy

…………………….GP—W-L-OT—Pts

N.Y.Rangers-X…77-52-21-4-108

Boston-x………78—46-17-15-107

Dallas-x………..77—48-20-9-105

Carolina-x……..77—48-22-7—103

*Vancouver-x…..76—47-21-8-102

Colorado-x…….77—48-23-6-102

Florida-x……….78—48-24-6—102

Winnipeg-x………77- 47-24-6-100

X-Clinched playoff spot

*- Not including late Saturday game

If the NHL playoffs started today:

EASTERN CONFERENCE

M1) New York Rangers vs. WC2) Pittsburgh

A1) Boston vs. WC1) Tampa Bay

A2) Florida vs. A3) Toronto

M2) Carolina vs. M3) New York Islanders

WESTERN CONFERENCE

C1) Dallas vs. WC2) *Los Angeles or Nashville

P1) Vancouver vs. WC2) Nashville or Los Angeles

C2) Colorado vs. C3) Winnipeg

P2) Edmonton vs. P3) Vegas

NHL Tiebreakers

From NHL.com

If two or more clubs are tied in points during the regular season, the standing of the clubs is determined in the following order:

  1. The fewer number of games played (i.e., superior points percentage).
  2. The greater number of games won, excluding games won in Overtime or by Shootout (i.e., ‘Regulation Wins’). This figure is reflected in the RW column.
  3. The greater number of games won, excluding games won by Shootout. This figure is reflected in the ROW column.
  4. The greater number of games won by the Club in any manner (i.e., ‘Total Wins’). This figure is reflected in the W column.
  5. The greater number of points earned in games against each other among two or more tied clubs.
  • For the purpose of determining standing for two or more Clubs that have not played an even number of games with one or more of the other tied Clubs, the first game played in the city that has the extra game (the ‘odd game’) shall not be included.
  • When more than two Clubs are tied, the percentage of available points earned in games among each other (and not including any ‘odd games’) shall be used to determine standing.
  1. The greater differential between goals for and against (including goals scored in Overtime or awarded for prevailing in Shootouts) for the entire regular season. This figure is reflected in the DIFF column.
  2. The greater number of goals scored (including goals scored in Overtime or awarded for prevailing in Shootouts) for the entire regular season. This figure is reflected in the GF column.

NOTE: In standings, a victory in a shootout counts as one goal for, while a shootout loss counts as one goal against.

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