The final days of the NHL regular season is usually a day where all eyes are focused forward at the two months of thrilling sports drama ahead of us.
NHL scores 2017: Regular season ends with plenty of poignant goodbyes
Joe Louis. Bob Miller. Bryan Bickell. Time to remember.
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So it was nice for the last weekend of the year to provide so many moments of reflection on and memories of players, figures and buildings that meant a lot to the game.
After all, not everyone can make the playoffs. And elimination carries finality with it. Detroit’s 25-year playoff streak had to end at some point, but there’s something poetic about it ending in the final year of Joe Louis Arena. The Red Wings and their fans bade farewell to “The Joe” on Sunday with a win over New Jersey.
The Kings had goodbyes of their own to give, with legendary broadcaster Bob Miller calling his final game before he retired to focus on his health. And they dragged it out to overtime, as they should have.
But the weekend of goodbyes belonged most to Bryan Bickell, the Carolina Hurricanes veteran forced to retire due to a multiple sclerosis diagnosis. It’s been a whirlwind weekend of emotions for Bickell and his teammates, and it ended as it should.
You want touching, tear-inducing send-offs? Hockey will deliver almost every time.
Scores
Ducks 4, Kings 3 (OT)
Hurricanes 4, Flyers 3 (SO)
Blue Jackets 3, Maple Leafs 2
Red Wings 4, Devils 1
Three things we learned
1. If you bench most of your best players you’ll lose
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Who knew! Washington, Pittsburgh and Ottawa gave some of their best players a day off to rest up for the playoffs. And all lost. What a luxury.
2. Connor McDavid held off Sidney Crosby for the Art Ross
Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images
I guess by “held off,” I mean “beat by 11 points.” McDavid finishes with a league-best 100 points after a big night against the Vancouver Canucks, a remarkable feat for a 20-year-old player.
3. The Leafs couldn’t get it done
Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
As exciting and cathartic as clinching a berth was on Saturday, the final test came on Sunday: Toronto needed a point against the Blue Jackets to avoid the Capitals in the first round.
And it seemed like they were headed there after two early James van Riemsdyk goals. And then Columbus scored three unanswered to send the Leafs hurtling toward the toughest initial matchup imaginable. Whoops.
Impact Moment
Stat of the night
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