The Final Countdown: Buckling Up for Final Stretch
One of the most common songs fans hear at sporting events is “Final Countdown” by Europe, and that is the theme for the Washington Capitals (36-27-9, 81 points) heading into the final 10 games of the season.
The Capitals, for the better part of two months, have embraced the playoff intensity a little earlier than they would’ve liked. Despite this season marked by roller coaster results, the locals find themselves in the second wild card spot following Thursday’s action.
Making a quick stop north of the border, the Capitals were under siege from the Toronto Maple Leafs from the very beginning – suffering a 5-1 setback to the high-flying Buds attack.
However, not all is gloom and doom at the moment. The Philadelphia Flyers (36-28-10, 82 points) and Detroit Red Wings (36-30-7, 78 points) – the immediate teams jockeying for playoff positioning with the Capitals – lost in regulation to the Montreal Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes, respectively.
The D.C. boys remain in a position to determine their own destiny outright. They sit one point back of Philadelphia, with two games in hand, for third place in the Metropolitan Division. They lead Detroit by two points with one game in hand.
If they drop games en masse, the team would be forced to do even more scoreboard watching than they are currently doing.
The Capitals own the hardest strength of schedule remaining out of the three teams. However, one cannot count out the New York Islanders (31-26-15, 77 points) and New Jersey Devils (36-33-4, 76 points) from re-entering the playoff picture.
Without further ado, here are the remaining games for Washington, Philadelphia and Detroit:
Washington Detroit Philadelphia
| March 30 vs. Boston | March 30 @ Florida | March 30 vs. Chicago |
| April 2 @ Buffalo | April 1 @ Tampa Bay | April 1 vs. NY Islanders |
| April 4 vs. Pittsburgh | April 5 vs. NY Rangers | April 5 @ Buffalo |
| April 5 @ Carolina | April 7 vs. Buffalo | April 6 @ Columbus |
| April 7 vs. Ottawa | April 9 vs. Washington | April 9 @ Montreal |
| April 9 @ Detroit | April 11 @ Pittsburgh | April 11 @ NY Rangers |
| April 11 @ Buffalo | April 13 @ Toronto | April 13 vs. New Jersey |
| April 13 vs. Tampa Bay | April 15 vs. Montreal | April 16 vs. Washington |
| April 15 vs. Boston | April 16 @ Montreal | |
| April 16 @ Philadelphia |
In essence, Hershey Bears fans will know in three weeks when the likes of Hendrix Lapierre and
Ivan Miroshnichenko could be available to the Chocolate and White. The two youngsters have earned significant roles, and bench boss Spencer Carbery will need them to continue playing at a
high level if the Capitals want to reach the postseason following a one-season absence.
Depth for Hershey remains a critical focal point heading into the Calder Cup Playoffs as they
begin their title defense and seek to win the franchise’s 13th Calder Cup.
On Thursday, the Bears announced they signed forward Haakon Hänelt to a professional tryout agreement. The 20-year-old Hänelt, a 2021 fifth-round draft pick by Washington, spent this season in his home country Germany for the Cologne Sharks of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). In 38 games, he
notched one goal and one assist. Hänelt will wear no. 36.
Heading into the weekend, Hershey’s magic number to clinch the AHL’s top seed is 11.
Photos: Hershey Bears / Tori Hartman
