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NHL roundup: Jets clinch playoff spot with OT win over Caps, Ovechkin scores goal 889

Winnipeg Jets players celebrate a goal during a matchup against the Washington Capitals (2025)
Winnipeg Jets players celebrate a goal during a matchup against the Washington Capitals (2025)Cameron Bartlett/Getty Images/AFP
The National Hockey League (NHL) had a 10-game slate with a whole lot of action, especially in a face-off between the league's best teams - Winnipeg Jets and Washington Capitals. But, as it should, Ovechkin was the highlight with his 889th goal.

Ovechkin is now just six goals away from breaking the all-time record set by the legendary Wayne Gretzky

His goal was a clutch one that tied the game up 2-2 to send it into overtime. 

Unfortunately for Ovi and the Caps, the Jets got the best of them after Nikolaj Ehlers (24) scored the game-winning goal, punching Winnipeg's playoff ticket. 

The Jets are now the second team to clinch the playoffs, with the Caps being the first. Winnipeg has now beaten the Caps twice in overtime this year, showing them why they could possibly win the Presidents Cup (best record) this year.

Lightning 6-1 Penguins

Overshadowed by Ovechkin, Nikita Kucherov hit a milestone of his own by reaching 1,000 career points thanks to a goal and two assists in the Tampa Bay's beatdown of Pittsburgh

The Lightning scored six straight goals between the first and second periods, with two of them coming from Anthony Cirelli (26). 

It wasn't until the third period that Pittsburgh finally got on the board, thanks to Bryan Rust (26).

But it didn't make a difference as Tampa Bay moves just two points behind the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers in the Atlantic Division. 

Blues 6-1 Canadiens

St. Louis remains the hottest team in the league as they destroyed the Canadiens on Thursday night for their league-best seventh straight win.

The Blues now hold a steady lead in the second Wild Card spot in the west with 83 points, followed by the Calgary Flames (79 points) and Vancouver Canucks (78 points).

Robert Thomas (19) and Philip Broberg (8) put up one goal and three assists...each!

 

Maple Leafs 7-2 Flyers

The Maple Leafs claimed the top spot in the Atlantic Division with a monumental win over the Flyers

William Nylander (40) and John Tavares (32) both had two goals each in a game the Lightning scored six straight after going down 1-0. 

Philly are now tied with the Boston Bruins for the league's worst losing streak at six games. The Flyers now also hold the worst record (28-36-9) in the Eastern Conference. 

Predators 3-1 Hurricanes

Nashville cleared out a Hurricanes team that had won nine of their last 10 games thanks to a pair of goals from Luke Evangelista (9). 

Carolina's Taylor Hall stays red hot as he has now scored five goals in the last five games, four of which came in the last two. 

Goaltender was the unsung hero in this game for Nashville as the Canes outshot the Preds 35-16. 

Around the league

Jack Eichel (26) scored a hat trick in the Vegas Golden Knights' 5-1 win over the Minnesota Wild while the Flames took down the Kraken in a 4-3 overtime win thanks to Nazem Kadri's (28) game-winner.

Detroit's woes continue as they have now lost seven of the last 10 games following a 5-2 defeat to the Colorado Avalanche. The Red Wings, sitting at 72 points, are four out of the second Wild Card currently held by the Canadiens (75 points).