Washington Capitals Secure Playoff Spot with Victory Over Philadelphia Flyers: Ovechkin Leads the Way

It was do-or-die on the final day of the regular season for most of the teams at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. “Washington”, “Detroit”, “Pittsburgh” and “Philadelphia” were fighting for the only remaining cup ticket, with “Capital” and “Pilots” playing the last game of the regular season against each other. Team Alexandra Ovechkina Any victory was good – in this case, the Capitals hockey players could not look at the results of their rivals. All other contenders needed a mistake from Stolichny in the City of Brotherly Love, but Washington gave their opponents no such opportunity.

Trainer for flyers John Tortorella he was not willing to send him to the goal for the most important game Ivan Fedotovahe prefers Russia Samuel Erson. The Swede lost from Ovechkin at the end of the first period, which was played carefully and with a minimum level of risk on both sides. Ovie’s puck had a huge psychological impact, giving Washington confidence and ultimately setting the stage for victory. Ovechkin scored his 853rd career goal and 31st in the 2023/2024 season. Wayne Gretzky’s record is 41 points away.

“It was kind of a crazy throw. But we accept it, we accept it. And we move on” – Ovechkin said in a television interview during the break.

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In the middle of the second twenty minutes, Philadelphia equalized – Eric Johnson scored, and the defender of Russia Egor Zamula he was supported.

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The Pilots were only satisfied with a victory in regulation time – they could not give Washington a bonus point for overtime or shooting. One point did not guarantee the capital, but this eliminated Philadelphia from the fight, so Tortorella’s team tried to apply pressure throughout the third period.

Washington’s defense handled the load, and when the going got tough, Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren came to the rescue.

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Three minutes before the end of the third period, with the score tied 1:1, Philadelphia replaced the goalkeeper with a sixth player – the hosts definitely had to score. The Pilots failed to do this, and when they played with an empty net a goal resulted TJ Oshie, after which every Washington fan was elated. It was this goal by the Americans that solved all the questions and gave victory to the Caps, who won their second cup card.

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Washington has been struggling with its own internal storm this season. Alexander Ovechkin had an uninspiring first half of the season, but returned to his normal pace after the New Year. Evgeniy Kuznetsov was traded to Carolina, Nicklas Backstrom was out for good with a hip injury, TJ Oshie missed a lot of time due to health issues, Tom Wilson was suspended for 6 games, and had the worst season of his professional career at Darcy Kuemper. But all this did not stop Spencer Carbery’s team from finishing the job and getting into the playoffs.

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In the first round of the playoffs, Washington will have to fight against the best team of the regular season, the New York Rangers. A fight awaits us between Ovechkin and Artemy PanarinaWell, the Capitals will try to prove to former coach Peter Laviolette that the Capitals camp was not an accident.