NHL playoff race heats up as the Capitals, Flyers and Red Wings are vying for 2 spots in the East
While the eight playoff teams in the NHL's Western Conference are all but settled, the race is on in the East, with three teams vying for two spots
Chants of “Let's Go, Red Wings!” filled the arena in downtown Washington before the home fans drowned them out. A Tuesday night in March felt like a Game 7 in May because of what was at stake.
“Every game feels like a playoff game at this point,” Capitals center Nic Dowd said after his team's 4-3 overtime win. "The next game’s going to feel the exact same way.”
That's the way it is right now in the NHL's Eastern Conference with three teams — Washington, Detroit and the Philadelphia Flyers — vying for the final two playoff spots and separated by just three points in the standings. While the top eight qualifying in the West is set, barring an unforeseen collapse by defending Stanley Cup champion Vegas, all eyes are on the East with three weeks left in the regular season.
“It’s a lot of fun," Detroit's Alex DeBrincat said. “As a hockey player, you want to be competitive at this time of year.”
