The schedule says it all for the Penguins…two games left, and they have 86 points. With Washington, Detroit, and Philadelphia all having 87 points, the Penguins need to win their final two games, tonight against the Nashville Predators and Wednesday against the New York Islanders, and they need some help to earn the second wild card in the NHL’s Eastern Conference.
Coach Mike Sullivan said after Saturday’s costly loss to Boston that the Penguins have to focus on winning tonight against the Predators, and not on the playoff scenario.
The Capitals currently hold the second wild card. They play the tough Bruins tonight and close the regular season against the Flyers tomorrow. The Flyers have only that game against the Caps left on their schedule. The Red Wings, the other team standing in the Penguins’ path to the playoffs, play at home against the Canadiens tonight and in Montreal against the Canadiens tomorrow night.
Tonight’s Penguins game against Nashville faces off shortly after 7 o’clock. The pregame airs on 92.5 FM U92 at 6.
Bruins defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk has been fined the maximum amount, $2,734.38 for unsportsmanlike conduct after he hit Penguins forward Michael Bunting with his stick from the bench as Bunting skated by Saturday night. Bunting had just made contact with Boston goaltender Linus Ullmark when Shattenkirk clipped him on the wrist. No penalty was called.
