Sports

Local NHL Teams Qualify for Playoffs

May 10, 2016

By: Kaitlin Christ

Over 2,000 games played in total by NHL teams will lead up to one final game.

Three local teams qualify for the 2015-2016 NHL Playoffs in hopes of winning the Stanley Cup. The performances from each team varied throughout the regular season. This could project the outcome of their playoff games.

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8), of Russia, celebrates his goal with goalie Braden Holtby(70) during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Minnesota Wild, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016, in Washington. The Capitals won 3-2. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

The Washington Capitals, the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Philadelphia Flyers are the three teams in the Mid Atlantic that will continue to battle for the Stanley Cup.

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The Washington Capitals finished the regular season with 56 wins and 18 losses, which was the best record in the league. The Capitals performance throughout the season was constant. Alexander Ovechkin, captain of the Capitals, scored a league leading 50 goals. Starting goaltender, Braden Holtby, also helped the team tremendously by finishing the season with a save percentage of .984%.

The Capitals were awarded for their hard work when the team received the Presidents’ Trophy, which is given to the NHL with the most points earned throughout the season. The Capitals finished the season with a total of 120 points.

The Capitals will move on to play the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round of playoffs after defeating the Philadelphia Flyers in four out of six games played.

christ nhl3 — Philadelphia Flyers’ Claude Giroux, center, celebrates his goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets with teammates Brayden Schenn, left, and Wayne Simmonds during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 22, 2016, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

Unlike the Capitals, the Pittsburgh Penguins had to earn their spot in playoffs.

The Pittsburgh Penguins started off the season rocky but managed to work their way up the leaderboard finishing 4th in the league with 48 wins and 26 losses. Despite the loss of alternate captain, Evgeni Malkin, the Penguins secured a spot in the playoffs.

Captain, Sidney Crosby, assisted the team by scoring 36 goals and earning 49 assists throughout the regular season. Phil Kessel was another top scorer for the Penguins finishing with 26 goals, influencing the rank of the team.

Similarly to the Penguins, the Philadelphia Flyers also had to hustle to clinch a spot.

The Philadelphia Flyers greatly struggled to clinch a spot in the playoffs but were able to make it in due to a wild card pick. Despite their bad luck during the regular season, the Flyers were able to finish 13th in the league with 41 wins and 27 losses. Alternate captain, Wayne Simmonds, was able to revive the team by scoring 32 goals. Claude Giroux was the top point scorer with a total of 67 points by the end of the season. After duelling against the Capitals for six games, they were defeated 2-4 and lost their place during the first round of playoffs.

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