2. New York Islanders – 89
Saturday’s results shifted around the dynamic of the Eastern Conference wild-card race.
The New York Islanders shot up to second place in the Metropolitan Division, a move that dropped the Columbus Blue Jackets down into the second wild-card spot.
Columbus is one point ahead of the Ottawa Senators and Detroit Red Wings.
The Philadelphia Flyers beat Detroit on Saturday to move three points off the final wild-card spot.
The Washington Capitals are hanging on as well with a four-point gap to make up to Columbus.
Columbus plays the Boston Bruins on Sunday in a game that could turn the wild-card race in another direction if the Blue Jackets win.
Columbus has lost three of the last four and it faces a tough schedule down the stretch that features two games versus the Carolina Hurricanes. All but one of its games come against teams in playoff positions, or in the playoff race.
Philadelphia has a brutal week ahead. It hosts the Dallas Stars on Sunday on the second leg of a back-to-back. Then, the Flyers face the Caps, Red Wings, Islanders and Bruins.
Ottawa seems poised on paper to claim a wild-card spot because it has a five-game homestand that starts on Thursday. It also closes the regular season with the New Jersey Devils and Toronto Maple Leafs, both of whom are out of the postseason picture.
At the top of the conference, the Tampa Bay Lightning could be in position to claim the No. 1 seed in the Atlantic Division. They play four straight at home and then visit the Buffalo Sabres on April 6. Buffalo needs to be near-perfect in the next week to avoid a drop from the top spot.
Ottawa (WC2) vs. Carolina (Metropolitan 1)
Boston (WC1) vs. Tampa Bay (Atlantic 1)
Pittsburgh vs. New York Islanders