Penguins clinch playoff spot with win over Sabres

The defending champs are headed back to the dance.

After some phenomenal theatrics from captain Sidney Crosby, the Pittsburgh Penguins clinched a playoff spot for the 11th straight season with a 3-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres.

The victory gave the Penguins 101 points on the season, leaving them one point behind the Washington Capitals for first in the league. As of right now, the Metropolitan is the only division to see its top three clubs already clinch.

If the top tier of the Metro rankings hold, the Penguins will face the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first round. However, with Columbus, Pittsburgh, and Washington all separated by just two points, all three remain in the running for the division title and a favorable wild-card matchup.