PHILADELPHIA (AP) — TJ Oshie fired the puck into an empty net and in the process scored one of the most improbable game-winning goals in recent NHL history, sending the Washington Capitals into the playoffs.
On Tuesday night, under absurd circumstances, Oshie's empty-net goal with three minutes remaining helped the exhausted Capitals beat the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1. The score was tied when Philadelphia coach John Tortorella pulled his goaltender and brought in an extra attacker. This is because the team needed to win within the regulations to keep their hopes alive.
What Tortorella didn't know was that Detroit scores with 3.3 seconds left. Supposedly forcing overtime in Montreal a minute ago actually cost the Flyers a loss.
“We'll embrace it,” Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin said. “Thank you, Philadelphia.”
Tortorella learned of the Red Wings' result shortly after Oshie's empty net. By then, it was too late, and Detroit and the Pittsburgh Penguins were also eliminated.
Washington will face the Presidents Trophy-winning New York Rangers in the first round starting this weekend, returning to the playoffs after a year away and ending an eight-year winning streak.
“This means a lot,” said Oshie, one of the few remaining players from the Capitals' 2018 Stanley Cup team along with Ovechkin, John Carlson and Tom Wilson. “Once you win, the regular season doesn't mean as much as the playoff games, so getting back there will be very special and we'll never take it for granted. The boys are ready to rock. will be completed.”
The Caps' chances seemed to be diminishing after their recent six-game losing streak, but thanks to more strong play from goaltender Charlie Lindgren, the Caps stayed in the race. Lindgren looked shaky at times against the Flyers, giving up big rebounds, but he made 27 key saves in his second start in as many days and 48th start of the season. NHL career.
“He's definitely our MVP,” coach Spencer Carberry said. “He was great all year. He got the opportunity to play back-to-back and had another great performance.”
Ovechkin struck early and was 42 points away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's record late in the first when he scored his 31st goal of the season and 853rd of his career off a deflection of a shot by Dylan McIlras. The only goal Lindgren allowed was a similar change of direction by veteran defenseman Eric Johnson, who was acquired at the trade deadline by Philadelphia and not known for his scoring ability.
Flyers goalie Samuel Elson stopped 16 of 17 shots before being pulled.
“That was one of the most encouraging things of all. That's three games left for Els to be able to go home for the summer,” Tortorella said. “It's ridiculous how much we played him. But he bounced back and he was able to go home feeling like he was himself again.”
The Capitals have gone from low preseason expectations to somehow contending for a playoff spot multiple times this season. It's no surprise that they took the final step to the playoffs in unusual fashion, with the Rangers next in line.
“It's a significant challenge,” Carberry said. “We know we have our hands full because we are the best team in the NHL.”
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Flyers: A poor performance in the final seven games of the season could be cited as the reason the Flyers were unable to advance to the playoffs sooner than planned.
Capitals: Play Game 1 against the Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Saturday or Sunday.
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