re: 2017-18 NHL Season Long Thread

Yeah, there's too many permutations to contemplate. Right now, every team currently 2nd-5th in the Metro could finish in any of the slots save the Pens can't fall to 5th and the Flyers can't make it to 2nd (also, the Flyers still haven't clinched, though it would take a miracle).

With one game remaining:

Pens 98
CBJ 97
NJ 97
PHI 96

The Penguins playing first helps everybody, as they are the leader and it sets the table for what needs to be done. If the Pens even earn one point, since they own every tiebreaker, they are the 2-seed and everyone knows where they will be getting sent if they finish in each slot.

If the Flyers beat the Rangers in the afternoon game, then both the Devils and Jackets will be going full tilt regardless of the Penguins game, as they will both be playing to avoid falling to WC2 and a 1st round matchup with the Lightning.