Last night, eight games were on the bill.
Several teams were playing out their season.
Here are the results and highlights:
A lot happened during tonight’s eight-game slate! To recap, the @Capitals clinched a berth in the 2024 #StanleyCup Playoffs, the @FlaPanthers clinched the Atlantic Division title and the @Canucks secured the Pacific Division title. #NHLStats: https://t.co/DX3k1LsF9f pic.twitter.com/SfrRw8pB89
– NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 17, 2024
1. Flyers eliminate Wings… by pulling their goalie for nothing
The big news of the evening in the NHL: the Capitals’ qualification… because of the Flyers… who eliminated the Wings.
The situation is a little controversial and strange, but let me explain.
In order to qualify for the playoffs, Philadelphia had to win evenly against Washington and hope that the Wings and Penguins (who are playing tonight) would lose in 60 minutes. At 1-1 late in the game, John Tortorella decided to pull his goalie, but he didn’t know it was unnecessary to do so since Detroit had just forced overtime in Montreal.
THE FLYERS DIDN’T KNOW THEY WERE ALREADY ELIMINATED SO THEY PULLED THEIR GOALIE AND THE CAPS SCORED 🤯😭 pic.twitter.com/ULOWfWkKdO
– Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) April 17, 2024
There was a big miscommunication somewhere. It’s the Red Wings who are angry, since it opened the door to a Capitals victory when the Flyers didn’t need to fight: they were already eliminated.
Philadelphia handed the Caps victory on a silver platter. Washington thus qualified for the spring tournament.
The duels are set in concrete in the East.
(OBOXADSQ || []).push({“cmd”: “addBanner”});
2. Duels in the East
Speaking of duels in the East, here they are:
Eastern Conference #StanleyCup playoff bracket set:#TimeToHunt vs. #GoBolts#NHLBruins vs. #LeafsForever#NYR vs. #ALLCAPS #CauseChaos vs. #Isles
Round 1 home teams listed first. Rangers hold home ice throughout entire playoffs.
– Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) April 17, 2024
Maple Leafs and Bruins cross swords in first round.
Toronto will be looking to avenge their numerous setbacks in recent years against their long-time rivals.
As for the Panthers, who won yesterday against the Leafs, they finished first in the division. Thanks to the Senators, who beat the Bruins. Florida will face the other Florida team, the Lightning.
In the Metro, the Rangers, who finished first in the NHL, take on Alexander Ovechkin’s Capitals. Then, Patrick Roy’s team will cross swords with the ever-dangerous Hurricanes.
Can duels in the East get any more exciting, do you think?
(OBOXADSQ || []).push({“cmd”: “addBanner”});
3. Auston Matthews ends season with 69 goals
To reach the 70-goal plateau, Auston Matthews needed to score 15 goals in his last 15 games.
Prior to yesterday’s game, he had scored 14 in 14 games. But in a loss to the Panthers, the 34 was unable to reach the prestigious plateau.
He came close, however.
Auston Matthews comes within inches of scoring his 70th 🤏 pic.twitter.com/CoAuz3PhZ8
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 17, 2024
Still, 69 goals isn’t bad either.
Remember that Teemu Selanne and Alex Mogilny (1992-1993) were the last two players to score 70 goals in a season.
Matthews finished the season with 107 points, one point more than his best season before 2023-2024.
(OBOXADSQ || []).push({“cmd”: “addBanner”});
4. Western duels
Important victory for the Jets last night at the hands of the Seattle Kraken by a score of 4-3.
Winnipeg reached 108 points and secured first-round home-ice advantage.
A win 👍
A win on home ice 👍👍
A win on home ice to secure home ice advantage for round one of the playoffs 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍 pic.twitter.com/m2XpnSXAuo– Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) April 17, 2024
Rick Bowness’ club will face the Colorado Avalanche.
The other Canadian team, the Vancouver Canucks, have secured first place in the Pacific. Vancouver is likely to host the Nashville Predators, the first team to be drafted.
As for the other match-ups, that’s not yet settled. The Golden Knights and Kings still have a game in hand. In addition, the duel between teams 2 and 3 of the Pacific, as well as the best team in the West, surely the Stars, and the eighth team are still to be determined.
Prolongation
– Ovi approaches Gretzky.
8️⃣5️⃣3️⃣ pic.twitter.com/dPQ7c4EQas
– Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) April 16, 2024
– A first career.
Smejk’s first career goal had us all on the edge of our seats! 🚨#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/utWUrxtv3c
– Ottawa Senators (@Senators) April 17, 2024
– Well done.
Florida Panthers fans were chanting “We want Florida” towards the end of their 5-2 win against Toronto. 😆 pic.twitter.com/cSR5QYXsAm
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 17, 2024
– Zach Werenski leads the charge.
– Four games tonight.