The Washington Capitals defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1 during their final game of the regular season on Tuesday. The epic win clinched a playoff spot for the Capitals, but I don’t think we’re focusing enough on what else it did.
When TJ Oshie slid the puck into the Flyers’ empty net, the Capitals’ winger didn’t just eliminate Philadelphia from playoff contention.
As pointed out by Twitter user @TheIanDen, he sent the entire state of Pennsylvania packing.
Thinking about how the Capitals eliminated the entire state of Pennsylvania from the playoffs off of an empty net goal
— Ian (@TheIanDen) April 17, 2024
The victory eliminated the Capitals’ biggest rivals, the Pittsburgh Penguins, for the second year in a row, leaving the state without one of their home teams to root for.
🫶 https://t.co/8yr13dDrhs pic.twitter.com/EeBocLYMEa
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 17, 2024
Willed by Sidney Crosby down the stretch, the Penguins won four games in a row to start the month of April and held onto the second wild card spot for three separate days. But the Penguins couldn’t close, losing to the Maple Leafs and Bruins in games 78 and 80 respectively.
The last wild card spot in the Eastern Conference has been a ROLLER COASTER 🎢 pic.twitter.com/TFygXHynBm
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 14, 2024
They’ll now complete their regular season schedule against the New York Islanders on Wednesday with nothing to play for.
Oshie scored via an empty net due to Flyers head coach John Tortorella pulling goaltender Samuel Ersson to go for a regulation win. The only way the Flyers could have made the postseason was by beating the Capitals in 60 minutes and the two teams were tied 1-1 late in the third period.
“It was kind of surprising actually,” Oshie said of his goal. “Skating down the ice, I didn’t even know the goalie was out until [Garnet Hathaway] was trying to block the shot there. It felt good. It was such a good game. It’s kind of unfortunate that’s the way it has to end.”
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 17, 2024
I dunno, Teej. I’m not sure I agree.
