The Pittsburgh Penguins already had long playoff odds entering Tuesday’s game against the New Jersey Devils. Given the standings, the opponent and how quickly the 2023-24 NHL regular season is winding down it was probably as close to a must-win game as you could get. In fact, pretty much every game against a potential bubble playoff team is a must-win game the rest of the way.
They did not win, losing a 5-2 decision to the Devils in a classic four-point game to leave the Penguins seven points out of a playoff spot with still five teams between them and the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.