What did the Bruins’ loss do to the playoff picture?

Well that was boring.

Are we sure we WANT the Bruins to get an Atlantic spot? We’d have to watch several more games of that paint-drying brand of hockey...

Anyways, the Bruins didn’t do themselves any favors by losing to Ottawa in overtime, but the point is important.

Toronto lost to Tampa Bay in regulation tonight, which means an Atlantic spot remains in the Bruins’ reach. A lot can change this weekend, but the Bruins remain in control of their destiny in terms of avoiding the Wild Card.

Here’s how it breaks down:

If the Bruins win Saturday and Ottawa earns 2+ points in its last two games...

• ...the Bruins would finish in third in the Atlantic with 97 points to Ottawa’s 98+. The Senators would have home ice advantage in the first-round series.

If the Bruins win Saturday and Ottawa earns 1 or 0 points in its last two games...

• ...the Bruins would finish second in the Atlantic with 97 points to Ottawa’s 97 or 96. The Bruins own the ROW tie-breaker, so the Bruins would have home-ice advantage in the first-round series against Ottawa.

If the Bruins lose in regulation Saturday and Toronto gets less than 3 points in its last two games...

• ...the Bruins would finish third in the Atlantic with 95 points. Two points from Toronto would give them 95 as well, but the Bruins would win the ROW tie-breaker. Ottawa would have home ice against the Bruins in the first round.

If the Bruins lose at all Saturday and Toronto wins both of its last two games...

• ...the Bruins would finish in the second Wild Card spot and would face Washington in the first round. The Bruins would have 95 points, while Toronto would have 97 (two wins) or 96 (a win and an OT/shootout loss).

If the Bruins lose in OT/shootout on Saturday...

• ...the Bruins finish third in the Atlantic unless Toronto wins both of its last two games.

Did you get all that?

Basically, the Bruins are probably going to end up playing Ottawa in the first round.

If the Bruins win Saturday, they get Ottawa. Period.

If they lose and the Leafs get 3+ points in two games, they get Washington.

My head hurts.

Edit: The third scenario originally said "3+" points for Toronto, when it should have said "less than 3." I feel great shame.