Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins' Playoff Odds Emerge

Despite taking an early lead, they surrendered four straight goals at PPG Paints Arena, sealing their fate for the playoffs.

According to the MoneyPuck playoff simulation and reported by NHL writer Dan Kingerski, their previous slim 0.2% chance of making the playoffs has dropped to a solid 0.00%. It's over, for good.

Next up for them are the Anaheim Ducks, who are just 0.1% to make the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Boston Bruins are on life support at 0.9% after falling four points out of a playoff spot, having played two more games.

In spite of their recent winning streak, the Penguins are 5-4-1 over their last 10 games, and they join the Philadelphia Flyers and Buffalo Sabres as the newest Eastern Conference franchises officially eliminated by MoneyPuck's numbers.

The Penguins now have a greater than 7% chance at the lottery pick

In addition, the Penguins' opportunities to receive the first overall draft pick have improved to 7.1%, which puts them in a tie with Seattle.

Philadelphia has a slightly better chance at 8.6%, and San Jose (22.4%) and Chicago (16.5%) are ahead of them.

Pittsburgh holds the seventh overall pick at the moment, tied with sixth-placed Seattle, who have the same win percentage.

The Penguins probably won't drop below fifth, as they are two points ahead of Philadelphia, which also has a game in hand.

Buffalo, in fourth place, sits six points behind the Penguins with four games to go. In the NHL lottery system, the seventh-worst record, that the Penguins currently hold, has a 6.5% opportunity at the top choice and a 6.7% shot at the second overall pick.