The Pittsburgh Penguins are making a late-season push for the playoffs, but their fate still hangs in the balance. In a crucial game against the Nashville Predators, the Penguins secured a 4-2 victory to keep their postseason hopes alive.
Sidney Crosby led the charge for the Penguins with a goal and an assist, bringing his total to 42 goals for the season. The team has been on a hot streak, going 8-1-3 in their last 12 games to stay just one point behind Washington and Detroit in the race for the Eastern Conference’s second wild card spot.
Despite their recent success, the Penguins still need some help to secure a playoff spot. Both the Capitals and Red Wings need to lose their upcoming games for the Penguins’ final game against the New York Islanders to matter. If the stars align and Pittsburgh wins, they could clinch the last open playoff spot in the NHL.
Players like Erik Karlsson, Reilly Smith, and Emil Bemstrom also contributed to the Penguins’ win, with goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic making 28 saves to secure the victory. On the other side, Filip Forsberg and Gustav Nyquist scored for the Predators, who missed a chance to lock up the top wild card spot in the Western Conference.
The Penguins have come a long way from being nine points out of a playoff position just a few weeks ago. Their late-season surge has given them a fighting chance, and they are hopeful that their hard work will pay off with a playoff berth. As they head into their final game of the regular season, the Penguins are keeping their fingers crossed for a shot at the postseason.