Playoff Push: March 19th

Eastern Conference Standings - March 19
(Sabres.com)

The eighth and final playoff position in the Eastern Conference remains wide open as it appears no team wants to be the one to take it.  Whichever team does though, will most likely do so with an uncharacteristically low point total.

Projections currently show the eighth seed needing only 90 points.  In the last seven NHL seasons, only once has there been a postseason with teams at 90 points or less.  The 2009-10 season actually saw two, as the Montreal Canadiens and Philadelphia Flyers both qualified with 88 points.

The Buffalo Sabres are still very much alive in the race for eighth this season.  With 76 points and ten games remaining, they currently sit tied for ninth place; only two points out of eighth.

The out-of-town scoreboard was very kind to Buffalo last night as playoff odds increased 4.1 to 13%.  Here's how:

Carolina Hurricanes defeat Winnipeg Jets in regulation (+2.2%).  The Jets were leading 3-2 after two periods, but Carolina put on the pressure in the third, taking 19 shots on Ondrej Pavelec in the final 20 minutes to win it 4-3.  Eric Staal scored his second of the night to tie it at 10:24, and Chad LaRose had the game-winner with 1:22 left.  The Jets now head out for a three-game road trip, starting with Pittsburgh on Tuesday, Washington on Friday and Nashville on Saturday.  The Sabres are tied with the Jets at 76 points, each team with ten games remaining.

Chicago Blackhawks defeat Washington Capitals in regulation (+1.9%).  Chicago rookie Andrew Shaw out-shined and outscored Washington's star Alex Ovechkin.  Shaw recorded his first two-goal game to help the Blackhawks defeat the Washington Capitals 5-2.  The Blackhawks dominated the first period taking a 2-0 lead while out-shooting the Capitals 12-3.  Chicago took its 12 shots before Washington got its first, by defenseman Mike Green with 3:58 left.  Washington remains two points ahead of the Sabres and Jets for eighth in the conference, each of the three teams have ten games remaining.

Tonight's schedule will have a large impact on the odds.  Find out how after the jump...

Buffalo Sabres at Tampa Bay Lightning

TAM - Reg Win (-6.1%)

TAM - OT Win (-1.3%)

TAM - SO Win (-1.3%)

BUF - Reg Win (+5.9%)

BUF - OT Win (+5.7%)

BUF - SO Win (+5.6%)

Washington Capitals at Detroit Red Wings

DET - Reg Win (+2.4%)

DET - OT Win (-0.7%)

DET - SO Win (-0.7%)

WAS - Reg Win (-3.4%)

WAS - OT Win (-3.4%)

WAS - SO Win (-3.4%)

Toronto Maple Leafs at Boston Bruins

BOS - Reg Win (+0.2%)

BOS - OT Win (0.0%)

BOS - SO Win (0.0%)

TOR - Reg Win (-0.3%)

TOR - OT Win (-0.4%)

TOR - SO Win (-0.4%)

Regulation wins tonight by the Sabres and Red Wings can potentially increase playoff odds by 7.3%, putting the Sabres' odds over 20% for the first time since December.  Take a look at the odds graphed out:

Buffalo Sabres Playoff Odds
(Sportsclubstats.com)

The puck drops tonight between the Sabres and Lightning at 7:30pm at Tampa Bay Times Forum.  The Lightning won the previous three meetings this season and are looking to sweep the season series with the Sabres for the first time in franchise history.  The Sabres are looking to rebound from two consecutive shootout losses against Colorado and Florida.  This will be the third and final game of the suspension to Tyler Myers.  He will return to action Wednesday against the Canadiens.  Get set with tonight's game preview here.