By: Tom Leyden, FOX25 Sports Anchor
With one game left on the regular season schedule, the Bruins find themselves on the outside looking in as the playoffs approach.
Thursday's loss to Florida left the Bruins with 95 points on the season. Coupled with Ottawa's win over the Rangers, Boston now needs help to qualify for a playoff spot.
In fact, the Bruins could be eliminated from contention before they take the ice Saturday for the regular season finale.
Pittsburgh, currently in position to claim the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference with 96 points, has two games remaining on its schedule, including a matchup Friday night at home against the New York Islanders.
If Pittsburgh wins, claiming two points in the process, they'll clinch a better regular season record than Boston. Even if the Penguins lose in overtime, gaining just a single point to move to 97, the Penguins will still hold off the Bruins thanks to the regular/OT win tiebreaker.
The Penguins also face Buffalo Saturday night, so they'll get a second crack to earn valuable points.
Basically, it will take a minor miracle (a/k/a Pittsburgh losing twice and the Bruins beating Tampa Bay) for Boston to pass the Penguins in the standings.
The Senators face the Flyers at 12:30 Saturday afternoon. If Ottawa wins outright or gains a point with an overtime loss, the Senators will move to 98 or 99 points and clinch a better regular season record than Boston.
The drama will unfold beginning Friday night and the Bruins, incredibly, may be able to make tee-times before they take the ice Saturday night in Tampa.
