Detroit Red Wings playoff push: How Maple Leafs help out (a little bit) on Monday
The Detroit Red Wings received a little bit of help in their playoff chase from the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Leafs defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins, 3-2, in overtime Monday, holding the Penguins to one point gained in the standings. The Penguins — who host the Wings on Thursday — now match Detroit's 84 points, but the Wings have five games left to Pittsburgh's four, so Detroit remains in the East's second wild-card spot.
The Wings will make up that game in hand Tuesday when they host the Washington Capitals, who have 83 points with five games left. The Capitals had been inside the playoff picture, but they've lost their past six games (0-4-2).
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The Philadelphia Flyers also have 83 points, with four games remaining.
There are two playoff spots left in the East, but only the second wild-card spot is open to the Wings. The way it's been trending, either the Penguins and New York Islanders (85 points, five games left) will claim third place in the Metropolitan Division, with the other competing with Detroit for the last wild card spot. That could change if the Capitals are victorious Tuesday, of course — which is why that game and Thursday's are critical to win for the Wings.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Red Wings playoff push: Maple Leafs help (a little) on Monday
