NHL scores 2016: Sidney Crosby plays hero in another terrific Capitals-Penguins game
A playoff series needs to happen.
Seven years. Seven years without watching two of the greatest hockey players of all-time face each other on the sport’s biggest stage. Seven years without getting to unfairly judge the one that loses.
In all seriousness, it’s hard to believe two of the most high-profile and successful teams in the league haven’t faced each other in the postseason since 2009. Maybe that was for the better; neither team have been aligned as equally dangerous playoff foes in the same season since.
That combo made for great hockey in their final regular season meet-up of the year. Two goals from Matt Cullen and one from some guy a probably wonderful person named Conor Sheary staked the Penguins to a commanding 3-0 lead. And Washington took it right back. Marcus Johansson scored twice and Andre Burakovsky tied the game with seven minutes left in regulation.
That set up the greatest sweet overtime goal/angry losing fan combo of the season.
Take that finish and the way both teams are playing right now and imagining a terrific playoff series isn’t that hard. If the Hockey Gods are good, we will get a Sid vs. Ovi seven-game series this spring.
Scores
Maple Leafs 4, Flyers 3 (OT)
Penguins 4, Capitals 3 (OT)
Canadiens 4, Hurricanes 2
Blues 2, Blackhawks 1 (OT)
Stars 4, Avalanche 2
Kings 2, Ducks 1
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3 things we learned
1. The Eastern Conference wild card race is muddier than ever
Detroit followed up their biggest win of the year on Wednesday with one of their worst to the Bruins, who jumped back into a playoff spot because of their win and Philadelphia loss to the Maple Leafs, who really wish they had lost. Does any of that make sense? Of course it doesn’t. It’s the end of the NHL regular season. Nothing makes sense.
2. Jonathan Drouin is off to a great start in his return
Steven Stamkos' injury opened the door for Drouin's return to the Lightning on Thursday. And he didn't disappoint. He looked active and showed off the speed and skill that made him the fourth overall pick a few years ago. That he scored the game-winner was just icing on the cake.
3. The Canucks are punting on the rest of the season
How else do you explain their putrid stretch run? Vancouver has dropped nine of their last twelve games and gave up 13 goals in their last two to the Flames and Oilers, of all teams. They're either worse than we thought, tanking harder than we expected or caring as little as they possibly can.
Impact Moment
All Dallas needed to clinch the Western Conference’s top seed was a win and a Blackhawks win over the Blues. Dallas took care of its business. The Blues took care of their’s.
Stat of the Night
The Leafs screw the Flyers, the Bruins and themselves on the same night. Impressive.
— Jason Brough (@JasonPHT) April 8, 2016
