NHL: Caps in playoffs on empty-netter assist

The Detroit Red Wings did their part Tuesday night, scoring with five seconds left to force overtime against the Montreal Canadiens.

But Detroit’s eventual shootout victory meant nothing because the Washington Capitals beat the Philadelphia Flyers in a bizarre ending to clinch the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference and fill the final spot in the 16-team NHL playoff field.

The Flyers, because of tiebreakers, had to win in regulation. Coach John Tortorella pulled goalie Sam Ersson for an extra skater. Washington’s T.J. Oshie scored the go-ahead goal into the empty net at 17:00 for a 2-1 win. The Flyers would have been eliminated as soon as Detroit hit overtime.

“I got info on the Detroit game right after (the Capitals) scored their empty-netter,” Tortorella told reporters. “I think it happened pretty close together. But I’m pulling him. That was the right time to pull and I didn’t know anything was going on with Detroit at that time, but immediately after that our video guys told us that Detroit just went to overtime.”

The Capitals were back in the playoffs after a oneyear absence. The Flyers’ drought hit four seasons, The Red Wings’ hit eight seasons and Wednesday’s Pittsburgh Penguins-New York Islanders game was rendered meaningless with the Penguins officially eliminated for the second season in a row.

Also, the Florida Panthers moved past the Boston Bruins to clinch the Atlantic Division title, the Vancouver Canucks wrapped up the Pacific Division title and the Vegas Golden Knights moved past the Los Angeles Kings into the third seed in the Pacific, though that won’t be decided until Thursday.

Playoff field set

East: The New York Rangers, Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes, New York Islanders, Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Tampa Bay Lightning and Washington Capitals.

West: The Dallas Stars, Vancouver Canucks, Winnipeg Jets, Colorado Avalanche, Edmonton Oilers, Vegas Golden Knights, Nashville Predators and Los Angeles Kings.