In a disappointing turn of events, the Pittsburgh Penguins' 10-game point streak came to an abrupt end with a loss against the Boston Bruins on Saturday night. This defeat, coupled with wins by the Detroit Red Wings, Washington Capitals, and Philadelphia Flyers, resulted in Pittsburgh slipping from the second Wild Card spot to fifth place in the playoff chase.

While the loss against the Bruins may prove to be a devastating blow to the Penguins' season, there are still a few games left to play. The Red Wings and Capitals had previously given Pittsburgh a glimmer of hope with their own losses earlier in the week. However, if the Penguins are to secure a playoff spot, they will need additional assistance from other teams.

Unfortunately for Pittsburgh, the New York Islanders have also elevated their game at the same time. What was once a two-way path into the playoffs through either a top-three division spot or a wild card entry has now closed off the first avenue. To catch up to the Islanders, Pittsburgh would need them to lose both of their remaining games in regulation, while the Penguins would have to win their final two games.

With only the Wild Card spot still within reach, the Penguins find themselves in a fierce battle with three other teams vying for the coveted playoff position. Initially, it appeared that the Flyers were fading from contention, but a recent two-game winning streak has reignited their chances.

Adding to Pittsburgh's challenges is the loss of their hot goalie, Alex Nedeljkovic. The team had heavily relied on his stellar performance, playing him in 11 consecutive starts. However, cracks began to show in Nedeljkovic's play in the past week, and his remarkable run abruptly ended against the Bruins. The question now arises as to whether Pittsburgh can cross the finish line with the remaining two games and without their star goaltender's outstanding contributions.

The devastating results have had a significant impact on the Penguins' playoff chances. Just yesterday morning, the HockeyViz model gave them a 60.0% probability of making the playoffs. However, due to all the recent results working against Pittsburgh, that percentage has dwindled to a mere 22.2% today.

In a blink of an eye, much of the progress the Penguins had made has been erased. The anticipated loss, though painful, has become a reality. With their next game against the Nashville Predators at home on Monday, followed by a road game against the Islanders on Wednesday, Pittsburgh will need to rally and give it their all to salvage their playoff dreams.

As for their competitors, the Capitals are set to face the Bruins at home on Monday before traveling to Philadelphia to wrap up their season series. The Pens will undoubtedly hope for a favor from the Bruins in defeating the Capitals.

Meanwhile, the Red Wings will engage in a home-and-home series with the Montreal Canadiens on Monday and Tuesday. With the Canadiens having nothing to play for this season and struggling in recent games, this presents an opportunity for the Red Wings to regain their footing.

The remaining games will undoubtedly be intriguing as the Penguins, Capitals, and Red Wings all experienced the highs of being in a playoff position, only to suffer recent defeats leading to their fall. In this race to accumulate the 90 points needed to secure a playoff spot, every game becomes crucial.

As the season nears its end, only a few games remain to determine which teams can withstand the pressure and secure their spot in the playoffs. For the Penguins, it's a matter of regaining their momentum and relying on both their own efforts and the outcomes of other teams' games.