Quick Sunday recap:
---The Ottawa Senators clinched a playoff spot with a 5-1 win over the Islanders.
---The Florida Panthers got another point with a 2-1 shootout loss at Detroit.
The Panthers have 91 points with three games remaining. The Washington Capitals are at 88 (with the tiebreaker edge) and the Sabres are at 86, both also with three games left. The Sabres would likely have the tiebreaker edge on Florida, provided they catch the Panthers and the Capitals pass them to win the Southeast Division.
The best the Sabres can do is 92 points. If Florida gets to 93, the Sabres can't touch them. If the Capitals get to 92, they ensure the Sabres can't touch them either.
Bottom line: Sabres almost certainly have to win all three games and get help. It starts with Washington losing Monday night at Tampa Bay and the Sabres then beating Toronto here Tuesday. Then we'll see. Long odds.
---Mike Harrington
(www.twitter.com/bnharrington)
