For the Flyers and the Red Wings, both on the relative upswing, they could look to their core of mid-20s skaters and believe that, whatever happened, a scrap for eighth would not go down as this generation's peak.
The Penguins and Capitals, the two oldest teams in the league, faced unfamiliar failures in the 2023 postseason, with the pressure mounting on aging stars like Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin.
The Washington Capitals clinched the playoff spot in an unlikely manner, with an empty-netter sealing their fate as the remaining team despite being perceived as the least impressive.
"We'll take it," Ovechkin said, appreciating the unexpected opportunity to advance to the playoffs thanks to a series of events involving the other competing teams.
The Washington Capitals showcased a significant negative goal differential, ranking among the worst in the league, raising concerns about their performance and defensive capabilities.
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