The Eastern Conference playoff race is now the Wild East, with a four-way tie for the second wild card. That empty net goal in October or a garbage time pickup in December might come into play, as goal-differential is the fifth tie-breaker. The Pittsburgh Penguins are just above the fray, but need some wins this weekend. Our Penguins Q&A focused on the goaltending and some lineup weak spots.

In the Daily, we’ve got the teams to root for today and the games to watch.

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Also, I’m humbled by the support for our playoff travel. We raised enough last evening for the first couple of games (assuming I can drive to the game). When we made the travel budget and schedule last August, we didn’t anticipate the playoffs. I’ve been funding the last couple out of my pocket, which—yes—does hurt. If you’d like to keep us on the road, you can buy me a coffee here. Thank you guys so much!

Let’s jump right in.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: We’ll start with the Q&A. No holds barred, and I did not spare feelings. The goalie situation needs a lot of explanation and discussion, sans the emotion. The Penguins Q&A.

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Would I have liked the Penguins to call up Murashov earlier this season? Yep. As one reader put it, sadly, it’s too late now. That’s just one scenario we got into.

The Penguins lost a prospect this week and also released an explanation and update on Caleb Jones.

NHL Rumors, Playoff Race, Games to Watch

The Philadelphia Flyers. Columbus Blue Jackets. Ottawa Senators. Detroit Red Wings. All have 88 points. Gentlemen, start your engines.

Philly Hockey Now: Oh boy. The orange and black just made a jumbled playoff race an absolute mess. A four-car pileup. The Philadelphia Flyers beat the Islanders, and now the Flyers are in a four-way tie for the second wild card.

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Yes, I’m kind of loving it. I’m glad the Penguins aren’t in it (yet).

Detroit Hockey Now: How are they surviving? They were a playoff lock, then left for dead, now the Detroit Red Wings are in the logjam but have one game in hand on everyone. Bob Duff has the key to the Red Wings chances.

Ottawa Sun: Ottawa has fought its way back into the race, but is doing so without its top defensemen—yes, plural. They took another hit, as Tyler Klevens will be out, too. Jake Sanderson is racing back, but it’s a mess on the blue.

Columbus Dispatch: It’s time to “put up or shut up.” The Columbus Blue Jackets’ second-half surge was extraordinary, but they eventually ran out of rocket fuel and are in the jam, too. Now, they’re girding for the final push.

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Games to Watch

Detroit visits the New York Rangers at 12:30. The game is on ABC.

Ottawa hosts the Minnesota Wild. No, not an easy game. The puck drops at 1 p.m.

The Buffalo Sabres can clinch their first playoff spot in 13 years when they visit the Washington Capitals. A Buffalo win would essentially end any longshot Capitals’ hopes.

The Islanders have to visit the Carolina Hurricanes. It’s a rivalry game for Carolina, and not a blowoff. That puck drops at 7 p.m.

And Columbus hosts the Winnipeg Jets at 7 p.m., who have inched back into the Western Conference playoff race. That won’t be an easy one either.

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Of course, the Penguins host the Florida Panthers for a weekend set at PPG Paints Arena. The puck drop today is at 5 p.m.

The post Dan’s Daily: 4-Way Tie in East?! Penguins Goaltending; Games to Watch Today appeared first on Pittsburgh Hockey Now.

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