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Playoff Percentages: Lightning crashing

Mark LoMoglio / National Hockey League / Getty

Through the remainder of the regular season, we'll take a look at how the night's action impacts the playoff race, highlighting which teams' postseason odds went up or down significantly.

The Washington Capitals became the first team to earn a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs with their win Saturday, and in the process dealt an enormous blow to a potentially dangerous opening-round opponent in the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Tampa's second consecutive loss in regulation has seen its postseason odds cut in half over the space of 48 hours. Though it could have been much worse, as the Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Islanders only managed one point apiece in their games.

Here's a look at the rest of the postseason picture after Saturday's action:

Eastern Conference

Team Result Playoff Chances Change
Bruins idle 90.0% +2.3%
Maple Leafs L 2-1 (OT) vs. Blackhawks 62.8% +1.4%
Islanders L 3-2 (OT) vs. Blue Jackets 25.1% +1.5%
Lightning L 5-3 vs. Capitals 19.5% -7.6%

Western Conference

Team Result Playoff Chances Change
Oilers W 2-0 vs. Kings 99.4% +0.5%
Blues W 3-0 vs. Coyotes 97.6% +2.3%
Predators L 4-2 vs. Hurricanes 89.6% -4.5%
Kings idle 18.2% +0.6%

To see percentages for the entire NHL, visit Sports Club Stats.

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