Pittsburgh Penguins" and "Eastern Conference wild card race."

The Pittsburgh Penguins were dealt a major blow in their quest for a playoff spot on Thursday night, as they allowed two quick goals in the third period against the New York Islanders en route to a 5-2 defeat.

The loss leaves the Penguins in a precarious position in the Eastern Conference wild card race, with just two games remaining in the regular season. They currently sit in the second wild card spot, one point behind the Boston Bruins and two points behind the New York Islanders.

To make matters worse, the Penguins will face the Bruins in their final game of the season on Saturday, with a playoff spot on the line. It's a do-or-die scenario for the Penguins, who will need to play their best hockey of the season if they hope to extend their streak of consecutive postseason appearances to fourteen.

Despite the disappointing result against the Islanders, there were some positives to take away for the Penguins. Star forward Sidney Crosby tallied his 36th goal of the season, tying him for the league lead with Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals.

In addition, goaltender Matt Murray returned to the lineup after missing two games with an upper-body injury. Murray looked sharp in his return, making 38 saves on 42 shots.

However, the Penguins will need more than just individual efforts if they hope to secure a playoff spot. They will need contributions from their entire lineup, as well as consistent play from their goaltenders, to overcome the Bruins on Saturday.

It's been a difficult season for the Penguins, who have dealt with injuries and inconsistent play throughout the year. However, they have a chance to make history with a win against the Bruins, as no team has ever made the playoffs after being in last place at New Year's Day.

It's a tall task, but the Penguins have proven themselves to be a resilient group throughout their history. With their playoff fate on the line, expect the Penguins to give everything they have in one final push for a spot in the postseason.

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