What are the possible clashes of the Penguins in the first round?

On Thursday night, the NHL Eastern Conference playoff puzzle set up two more plays. Pittsburgh and Carolina have officially landed a spot in the post-season dance. Washington also won its fourth place in first place in the Metropolitan Division.

Here is the look of the NHL ranking site:

What does it mean for Penguins? Well, their win last night, probably, but certainly not, will prepare them to face the New York Islanders in the first round of the Stanley Cup 2019 playoffs.

Ineffective mathematics now has 83% Pen / Island probabilities and 17% Pens / Caps for the first round. With 91% Pens / NYI and only 9% Pens / Caps, Dom at The Athletic is even more likely to be favored.

Here are the scenarios that could be played out

It will be Pittsburgh vs NYI if …

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

–The pens undo the New York Rangers Saturday anyway.

OR

-TPens lose against NYR in OT or shootout

OR

–the Carolina Hurricanes lose their game at Philadelphia Flyers in any way (regulation, OT, SO)

The easiest way is that if the Pens are doing their business and defeating a bad New York team that has nothing to play, they will avoid the joker. Even though Pittsburgh can force OT, it's a big win for the standings.

Or if Carolina can not beat the Flyers, the Pens benefit. However, I probably do not think this will happen, since Philly is a very bad team (as usual), limping in the far right and probably ready to finish the season. The Canes may also need to win this game to ensure they do not finish in the second wild card position and end up with the mighty Tampa Bay Lightning. Carolina will be very motivated.

And for the ice cream at home in this PIT / NYI series …

If Pittsburgh wins tomorrow and NYI loses (@Washington) in regulation, the first game of the series takes place in Pittsburgh. Any other scenario (Pittsburgh does not get two points, NYI loses in OT or earns itself) and the series opens on Long Island. That's right, the Islanders will be able to play all first-round home games at the Nassau Coliseum. Should they progress further in the new Brooklyn arena? I have it?

We'll see Pittsburgh vs Washington in the first round if …

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

–Pittsburgh loses in regulation to the Rangers

AND

–The Carolina Hurricanes beat Philadelphia in any way

This scenario would take Pittsburgh to Wild Card # 1, as the Pens and Canes would be tied with 99 points. Carolina wins the first decisive game in terms of regulation / OT (ROW), as they already have 43 and the Pens have 42 and must lose the match 82 to be tied.

As mentioned before, the odds seem good for Carolina to beat PHI, so a total loss of pens could let them go.

So the easiest way is to allow the pens to beat the NYR. There is no reason for them to lose completely in front of the Rangers in this situation anyway.