Sunday's showdown with Carolina could map out Penguins' playoff path

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Sunday's showdown with Carolina could map out Penguins' playoff path

Jonathan Bombulie | Saturday, March 30, 2019 4:47 p.m.

Carolina Hurricanes’ Justin Williams (14) tips the puck away from Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby (87) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, March 19, 2019, in Raleigh, N.C.

When Sidney Crosby looks at the standings, he generally looks at who the Pittsburgh Penguins can catch rather than who’s chasing them.

That won’t be possible on Sunday evening at PPG Paints Arena.

The Carolina Hurricanes will come to town in fourth place in the Metropolitan Division, just two points behind the third-place Penguins.

The winner will have the inside track on nailing down a top-three finish in the division. The loser will be facing life as a wild card, likely taking on the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals in the first round of the playoffs.

“At the end of the day, we’ve got to find a way to win a game,” Crosby said. “It’s an important one. Late in the season like this, every point’s important, but especially against a team that’s right there with us.”

Carolina moved to within two points of the Penguins with a 5-2 victory over Philadelphia on Saturday afternoon. The result eliminated the Flyers from playoff contention.

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