Three Crucial Games Stand Between the Penguins and the Playoffs

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins have an opportunity to secure a playoff spot as soon as Wednesday. The Penguins (35-18-7-1) start the week with an easy win-and-in scenario at home against Hartford.

Looking back at how they got there, the Penguins were blown out March 21 by Providence 10-2 in spite of goals by Sam Poulin and Boris Katchouk. They came back in style the next night, as Avery Hayes took a shootout win against Hershey.

Atley Calvert scored twice in regulation time, as Sergei Murashov saved 24 to remain unbeaten at 10-0-0. Momentum carried over to Sunday's game against Bridgeport, as a dominating four-goal first period gave way to a 5-2 win.

Poulin, Matt Nieto, Valtteri Puustinen, and Katchouk all found the back of the net early, and Chase Stillman got his first with the Penguins in the second period.

The Penguins now have an important week coming up. On Wednesday, they host Hartford with a chance to secure a 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs berth.

They've dominated the Wolf Pack all year long, sweeping all five of their previous encounters with a collective 24-5 margin. The weekend will consist of a difficult road test at Charlotte, as they play the Checkers in consecutive games.

There are only two points separating the clubs in the Atlantic Division, and this pair of series will have heavy playoff implications. A playoff appearance would be the 20th Calder Cup Playoff appearance for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

They are the league's highest-scoring team in the Eastern Conference with a 3.51 average per game and third overall in the league, but they have also been able to win games with their defense as well.

Murashov's 10-game winning streak, which tied a franchise rookie record, broke Matt Murray's 2014-15 mark, and he's one win away from tying John Curry's career record.

Poulin is hot with 12 points in his last seven games, which are all very good signs that they will clinch a playoff berth this week.