According to SportsClubStats.com, the Ottawa Senators took the ice on Sunday evening with a 32.9 percent shot of making the playoffs -- not great odds, but certainly not impossible, either.
NHL scores 2015: Senators, Penguins fall as playoff race heats up
The Eastern Conference postseason picture just got even more interesting.
John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
By night’s end, they’d be a point closer to eighth place, but their chances didn’t exactly skyrocket as many hoped.
A 3-2 shootout loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs has brought Ottawa within two points of the Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins, who are all tied with 95. All four clubs have three games left on their respective schedules.
Sports Club Stats says the Sens’ odds improved to 34.8 percent. Better than nothing, I suppose.
This incremental uptick may be tough to swallow given the fact that Ottawa had plenty of chances to come away with a victory. The shootout went seven rounds, and only Mika Zibanejad beat James Reimer; what's more, the Sens fired 45 shots on goal, and the Leafs only registered eight in the third period. Ottawa had plenty of opportunities to earn a win, and it wouldn't be surprising if this comes back to haunt them.
On Tuesday, the Sens will take on the Penguins at home. A loss then would all but end their hopes of a short summer.
Scores
Philadelphia Flyers 4, Pittsburgh Penguins 1
Washington Capitals 2, Detroit Red Wings 1
Toronto Maple Leafs 3, Ottawa Senators 2 (SO)
3 things we learned
1. The Canadiens may be in trouble
Montreal is near the top of the Eastern Conference standings thanks to Carey Price, who is having a ridiculous year in net. Despite his Vezina-worthy season, there are plenty of reasons to feel uneasy about the Habs' chances this spring. One of these reasons is their mediocre offense.
The Canadiens have been a bottom-third team in goal scoring at full health; after losing Max Pacioretty on Sunday, whose head crashed into the boards in Florida, their offense could become a major hindrance. Pacioretty is fourth in the NHL and first on his team with 37 goals.
2. The Penguins are definitely in trouble
On March 14, Pittsburgh was four points out of first place in the Atlantic Division. The Penguins are now 12 points out and at serious risk of missing the playoffs.
By losing to the Flyers (again) on Sunday, 4-1, the Penguins remained at 95 points -- the same number as Detroit and Boston. A poor showing on Tuesday in Ottawa may lead to an epic collapse, one that could result in major organizational changes.
3. Ryan Reaves doesn't need a dentist
Impact moment
Peter Holland handed Ottawa a shootout loss with this mark.
Stat of the night
Leafs gonna Leaf, even when they win.
The Maple Leafs set their season high for most shots on net in a period tonight, and were then out-shot 33-16 for the rest of the game
— Natural Stat Trick (@NatStatTrick) April 6, 2015
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