It is shaping up to be a fantastic finish to the 2023-24 season.

As we’ve been doing in recent Around the NHL articles, we’ll look at the Eastern Conference playoff race. Moreover, the best player of our generation has done something only three other players have done, and an NCAA Division I champion has been crowned.
Let’s dig into the latest edition of Around the NHL!
<h2>The final Eastern Conference Wild Card will come down to game 82</h2>
On Monday evening, three of the four teams fighting for the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference were in action, and oh my, was it ever action packed.
Coming into the evening, the Washington Capitals held the final Wild Card spot with 87 points. The Capitals  shut out the Boston Bruins, moving to a record of 39-31-11 with 89 points in 81 games. They play a back-to-back against the Philadelphia Flyers (more on them later), and if they win, they are in. The Flyers have two days of rest.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
HOLY SHAMOLEY JUDY <a href="https://t.co/RJt4mYBGE9">pic.twitter.com/RJt4mYBGE9</a>
&mdash; Washington Capitals (@Capitals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Capitals/status/1780049458534699395?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
However, the Detroit Red Wings came into Tuesday with the same number of points and left with the same number of points. Down 4-2 with half of the third period left, an octopus was thrown on the ice, seemingly sparking the Red Wings as they scored just over a minute later. With the net empty, Lucas Raymond tied the game after a fantastic leaping catch by Shayne Gostisbehere, before Raymond ended the game in overtime.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Ken Daniels’ calls of Lucas Raymond’s game-tying and winning goals were absolutely ELECTRIC 🎙️⚡️ <a href="https://t.co/MlKhpSAJDM">pic.twitter.com/MlKhpSAJDM</a>
&mdash; B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) <a href="https://twitter.com/BR_OpenIce/status/1780264360817901823?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Like the Capitals, the Wings play a back-to-back, but will play against the Montréal Canadiens once again. They need the Capitals to lose in any fashion and need to win this game, as the Capitals have the tiebreaker. Another scenario is if the Wings lose in overtime, with the Capitals losing in regulation and Penguins picking up a point or less.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Scenarios for final East playoff spot with all four teams at 81 GP:<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/allcaps?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#allcaps</a>: -Any win vs. PHI OR -One point vs. PHI AND any <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LGRW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LGRW</a> loss vs. MTL AND -One point vs. PHI AND any <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/pens?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#pens</a> loss vs. NYI (Simplest path in East: Win and Caps are in) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LGRW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LGRW</a>: -Any win vs. MTL AND <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/allcaps?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#allcaps</a>…
&mdash; Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) <a href="https://twitter.com/frank_seravalli/status/1780057637062692926?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The Pittsburgh Penguins were also in action on Monday, defeating the Nashville Predators 4-2 to move them to a 38-31-12 record with 88 points. By the time they play their next game on Wednesday, it could be all over as the Capitals or Red Wings could clinch on Tuesday evening.  
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
HOW SWEDE IT IS! 🇸🇪
Pettersson to Karlsson to Bemstrom to the back of the net! The Swedes connect and give the Penguins the 4-2 lead over the Predators. <a href="https://t.co/1IepsXndL6">pic.twitter.com/1IepsXndL6</a>
&mdash; Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) <a href="https://twitter.com/penguins/status/1780043663336198517?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
There is some good news for the Penguins though, as they have the tiebreaker on every team in the race, as they have 32 regulation wins to the Capitals’ 31 regulation wins. They have two scenarios to get in, they can win and both the Red Wings and Capitals lose in overtime, or the Penguins lose in overtime and both the Wings and Capitals lose in regulation. It’s all very confusing.
As for the Flyers, they need to win their game against the Capitals on Tuesday. Moreover, they need both the Penguins and Red Wings to lose in regulation to make the playoffs.The Flyers can get a maximum of 89 points, so it’s incredibly unlikely they’ll make it, but they can still spoil Washington’s chances.
<h2>Connor McDavid got his 100th assist of the season</h2>
In a 9-1 drubbing of the San Jose Sharks, Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid picked up his 100th assist of the season and is just the fourth player in the history to do so. He joins Bobby Orr, Mario Lemieux, and Wayne Gretzky, who did it 11 times from 1980-81 until 1990-91 as the only players to hit the mark.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Connor McDavid (<a href="https://twitter.com/cmcdavid97?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cmcdavid97</a>) joins <a href="https://twitter.com/WayneGretzky?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WayneGretzky</a> (x11), Mario Lemieux, and Bobby Orr as the only players to register 100 assists in a single season! 💯 <a href="https://t.co/Ta3ejTLDWc">pic.twitter.com/Ta3ejTLDWc</a>
&mdash; NHL (@NHL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NHL/status/1780071389006811487?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Interestingly, there’s a good chance that he’s not the only player to do so this season, as Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov currently has 99 assists with a single game remaining against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday.
This is a good segue into the Art Ross race. Nikita Kucherov leads the way with 142 points and will more than likely be the winner of the trophy, the first player not named Connor McDavid to do it since the 2018-19 season. Nathan MacKinnon still has an outside chance, as he trails Kucherov by four points and a game remaining.
It looks like McDavid’s four-season streak of Art Ross trophies will come to an end, as he has 132 points with two games remaining. He would have had a chance to win it if he hadn’t sat for two games against the Arizona Coyotes and Vancouver Canucks, but 10 points in two games is a little bit to make up, even for McDavid.
<h2>Denver University wins the 2024 NCAA title</h2>
On April 13, the Denver Pioneers defeated the Boston College Eagles 2-0 to capture their 10th title and their second title in three seasons.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
ZooMass ✅️ Boston University ✅️ Boston College ✅️
Denver University hits the Hockey East trifecta and are your 2024 College Hockey Champions!!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FrozenFour?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FrozenFour</a><a href="https://t.co/wLYJek69D4">pic.twitter.com/wLYJek69D4</a>
&mdash; TDT Media (@ThirdDownThurs) <a href="https://twitter.com/ThirdDownThurs/status/1779309197483504008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
In their run, they were able to defeat the UMass Minutemen 2-1 in double overtime, before defeating Cornell Big Red 2-1 to book their ticket to the Frozen Four. In their game in the National Semifinals, they defeated Macklin Celebrini and the Boston University Terriers 2-1 in overtime, before their win against Boston College.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
DENVER TO THE SHIP!!!!!!!!! 
📺 ESPN2<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MFrozenFour?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MFrozenFour</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/DU_Hockey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DU_Hockey</a> <a href="https://t.co/h8IbLJP8HY">pic.twitter.com/h8IbLJP8HY</a>
&mdash; NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) <a href="https://twitter.com/NCAAIceHockey/status/1778575361585955309?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
With their 10th title, they have surpassed the Michigan Wolverines for the most NCAA titles.
Thanks for reading! You can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.
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Fill your cup with all things puck Monday to Thursday at 9am EST with Morning Cuppa Hockey. Hosts and former players Jonny Lazarus and Colby Cohen will be on the mic discussing key topics, chatting with guests, and disagreeing on practically everything! Tune in and subscribe to the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@dailyfaceoff2563">Daily Faceoff Youtube Channel</a> to catch the show LIVE at 9am EST, or stream anytime, anywhere you get your podcasts.

It is shaping up to be a fantastic finish to the 2023-24 season.



As we’ve been doing in recent Around the NHL articles, we’ll look at the Eastern Conference playoff race. Moreover, the best player of our generation has done something only three other players have done, and an NCAA Division I champion has been crowned.

Let’s dig into the latest edition of Around the NHL!
<h2>The final Eastern Conference Wild Card will come down to game 82</h2>
On Monday evening, three of the four teams fighting for the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference were in action, and oh my, was it ever action packed.

Coming into the evening, the Washington Capitals held the final Wild Card spot with 87 points. The Capitals  shut out the Boston Bruins, moving to a record of 39-31-11 with 89 points in 81 games. They play a back-to-back against the Philadelphia Flyers (more on them later), and if they win, they are in. The Flyers have two days of rest.

https://twitter.com/Capitals/status/1780049458534699395

However, the Detroit Red Wings came into Tuesday with the same number of points and left with the same number of points. Down 4-2 with half of the third period left, an octopus was thrown on the ice, seemingly sparking the Red Wings as they scored just over a minute later. With the net empty, Lucas Raymond tied the game after a fantastic leaping catch by Shayne Gostisbehere, before Raymond ended the game in overtime.

https://twitter.com/BR_OpenIce/status/1780264360817901823

Like the Capitals, the Wings play a back-to-back, but will play against the Montréal Canadiens once again. They need the Capitals to lose in any fashion and need to win this game, as the Capitals have the tiebreaker. Another scenario is if the Wings lose in overtime, with the Capitals losing in regulation and Penguins picking up a point or less.

https://twitter.com/frank_seravalli/status/1780057637062692926

The Pittsburgh Penguins were also in action on Monday, defeating the Nashville Predators 4-2 to move them to a 38-31-12 record with 88 points. By the time they play their next game on Wednesday, it could be all over as the Capitals or Red Wings could clinch on Tuesday evening.  

https://twitter.com/penguins/status/1780043663336198517

There is some good news for the Penguins though, as they have the tiebreaker on every team in the race, as they have 32 regulation wins to the Capitals’ 31 regulation wins. They have two scenarios to get in, they can win and both the Red Wings and Capitals lose in overtime, or the Penguins lose in overtime and both the Wings and Capitals lose in regulation. It’s all very confusing.

As for the Flyers, they need to win their game against the Capitals on Tuesday. Moreover, they need both the Penguins and Red Wings to lose in regulation to make the playoffs.The Flyers can get a maximum of 89 points, so it’s incredibly unlikely they’ll make it, but they can still spoil Washington’s chances.
<h2>Connor McDavid got his 100th assist of the season</h2>
In a 9-1 drubbing of the San Jose Sharks, Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid picked up his 100th assist of the season and is just the fourth player in the history to do so. He joins Bobby Orr, Mario Lemieux, and Wayne Gretzky, who did it 11 times from 1980-81 until 1990-91 as the only players to hit the mark.

https://twitter.com/NHL/status/1780071389006811487

Interestingly, there’s a good chance that he’s not the only player to do so this season, as Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov currently has 99 assists with a single game remaining against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday.

This is a good segue into the Art Ross race. Nikita Kucherov leads the way with 142 points and will more than likely be the winner of the trophy, the first player not named Connor McDavid to do it since the 2018-19 season. Nathan MacKinnon still has an outside chance, as he trails Kucherov by four points and a game remaining.

It looks like McDavid’s four-season streak of Art Ross trophies will come to an end, as he has 132 points with two games remaining. He would have had a chance to win it if he hadn’t sat for two games against the Arizona Coyotes and Vancouver Canucks, but 10 points in two games is a little bit to make up, even for McDavid.
<h2>Denver University wins the 2024 NCAA title</h2>
On April 13, the Denver Pioneers defeated the Boston College Eagles 2-0 to capture their 10th title and their second title in three seasons.

https://twitter.com/ThirdDownThurs/status/1779309197483504008

In their run, they were able to defeat the UMass Minutemen 2-1 in double overtime, before defeating Cornell Big Red 2-1 to book their ticket to the Frozen Four. In their game in the National Semifinals, they defeated Macklin Celebrini and the Boston University Terriers 2-1 in overtime, before their win against Boston College.

https://twitter.com/NCAAIceHockey/status/1778575361585955309

With their 10th title, they have surpassed the Michigan Wolverines for the most NCAA titles.

Thanks for reading! You can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.

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Fill your cup with all things puck Monday to Thursday at 9am EST with Morning Cuppa Hockey. Hosts and former players Jonny Lazarus and Colby Cohen will be on the mic discussing key topics, chatting with guests, and disagreeing on practically everything! Tune in and subscribe to the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@dailyfaceoff2563">Daily Faceoff Youtube Channel</a> to catch the show LIVE at 9am EST, or stream anytime, anywhere you get your podcasts.

Around the NHL: The Eastern Conference Wild Card Race will come down to game 82, Connor McDavid hit 100 assists, and more!

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