Merrimack's playoff scenarios heading into Hockey East's final week
Merrimack enters the last week of the Hockey East regular season controlling a home-ice position in the first round of the Hockey East playoffs.
The Warriors are five points ahead of Northeastern and six points ahead of Vermont for the final home-ice spot. The Warriors will play Northeastern at Lawler Arena on Thursday night, and they will have a chance to clinch home ice in the first round.
The Magic Number
Merrimack’s magic number is one. The Warriors will clinch home ice if they earn one more point (or if Northeastern loses one more point).
If Northeastern does NOT win in regulation on Thursday, Merrimack clinches home ice.
If Thursday’s game just goes to overtime, Merrimack will earn the one point needed to clinch home ice.
It’s actually quite simple. The only way Northeastern can catch the Warriors in the standings is if the Huskies beat Merrimack and Providence in regulation in the final two games, and Merrimack loses to Northeastern and Boston College in regulation in its final two games.
Vermont, which has UConn and BU left on its schedule, still has a chance to catch the Warriors for home ice. However, it will require Merrimack to be swept, Vermont to sweep UConn and BU, and Northeastern not to beat Providence on Saturday.
Specific Scenarios
Merrimack clinches home ice if ...
The Warriors earn at least (1) point in their final two games
Or ..
Northeastern loses at least (1) point in its final two games
Northeastern clinches home ice if ...
Northeastern beats Merrimack and Providence in regulation
Merrimack loses to Northeastern and Boston College in regulation.
Vermont clinches home ice if ...
Northeastern beats Merrimack in regulation on Thursday
Providence beats Northeastern on Saturday
Boston College beats Merrimack in regulation on Saturday
Vermont sweeps UConn and Boston University in regulation.
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