WASHINGTON — Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals became the first NHL team to clinch a playoff spot this season, doing so after winning in their 69th game and getting the help they needed elsewhere around the league.
They are the only team since the playoffs expanded to 16 teams in 1979-80 to be the first to clinch after being the last to get in the previous season.
“Our goal was to make the playoffs this year,” Ovechkin said after scoring his 888th career goal to help beat Philadelphia 3-2. “It’s hard. Every game, it’s hard, especially at the end because every team is fighting.