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Capitals Return to Playoffs; East Playoff Field Complete

The Washington Capitals will make their eighth straight appearance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs

By Clyde E. DawkinsPublished 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago 3 min read
Top Story - April 2022
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The eight playoff teams in the NHL's Eastern Conference had actually been set for months, but it finally became official on Sunday, April 17. On that evening, the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the New York Islanders, 4-2, and with that result, the Islanders were eliminated, and the Washington Capitals (who were idle) received the Eastern Conference's last remaining playoff spot. For Washington, this is their eighth straight playoff appearance, which is the 2nd-longest current streak in the NHL, with the Pittsburgh Penguins' streak being twice as long.

The Capitals had been known for decades as a hard luck team, which began with the 8-win inaugural season in 1974-75. They wouldn't make their first Stanley Cup Final appearance until the 1997-98 season, but they didn't win a single game against the Detroit Red Wings. After drafting Alex Ovechkin in 2005, expectations were raised, but the same thing always happened: losses in either the first or second round, and often lost to the Penguins. 2018 changed the narrative: they exorcised two demons when they defeated the Penguins in the Metropolitan Final, and it ended up becoming a run all the way to their first Stanley Cup victory.

However, in the seasons that passed, the Capitals have not won a playoff series. 2019 saw them lose a seven-game thriller to the Carolina Hurricanes, the 2020 bubble saw them only last five games against the New York Islanders, and in 2021, the Caps were ousted by the Boston Bruins in the opening round. With each early exit, 2018 starts fading away, and the Capitals are looking to prove that their magical run to the Stanley Cup wasn't an aberration.

Alex Ovechkin is 3rd all-time in career goals

What can I say about Alex Ovechkin that hasn't already been said so many times? He's known as the "Great Eight," and that's not said for kicks. This season has been centered on Ovechkin's chase for immortality: the all-time goals record. In recent years, Ovechkin has surpassed many greats in that quest, with the latest one being Jaromir Jagr, placing him at third all-time. At the end of the regular season, only Wayne Gretzky and Gordie Howe will have more goals than Alex Ovechkin. He won't surpass Mr. Hockey's total of 801 goals before the season ends, but he will come very close to that total by the finale. Even at the age of 36, Ovechkin's still on his way to another 50-goal season, which means he will not only break Gretzky's record, he could, dare I say, become the first to score 1000 career goals.

While all of that history is phenomenal on its own, that's the regular season. Playoffs are a different animal, and Ovechkin's numbers are stellar in that regard as well. He will enter this year's playoffs with 135 career points (71 G/64 A), and in his run to the Stanley Cup, Ovechkin had 27 points (15 G/12 A) in 24 games. One of the things I love about the NHL is that great players are judged by numbers and not championships. Ovechkin is regarded as a legendary player because of his impressive numbers, and that's because the NHL isn't materialistic. Any other league would say he's a "one-hit wonder" because he only has the one Cup. But even so, you know Ovechkin would want another Stanley Cup.

So there you have it; every playoff spot in the Eastern Conference has been taken. All that's left to determine is positioning, and regarding the Capitals, they are closely behind the Bruins in the Wild Card picture, and right behind the Penguins for third place in the Metropolitan Division. The 2nd Wild Card will most likely face the Florida Panthers, while the 1st Wild Card faces whoever wins the Metropolitan Division. If Washington manages to move into 3rd place in the Metro, they'll face the Metro's runner-up. It will be a very interesting scramble for positioning in the Eastern Conference.

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About the Creator

Clyde E. Dawkins

I am an avid fan of sports and wrestling, and I've been a fan of female villains since the age of eight. Also into film and TV, especially Simpsons and Family Guy.

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Nice work

Very well written. Keep up the good work!

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