NHL Recap: Caps Keep Playoff Hopes Alive, Habs Eliminate Islanders

Canadiens clinch playoff spot with win over Islanders

NHL playoff push heats up: Washington Capitals keep hopes alive with 3-0 win, Montreal Canadiens eliminate New York Islanders with 4-1 victory.

Ovechkin's Capitals edge Penguins 3-0, while Canadiens score three goals in 55 seconds to beat Islanders 4-1...

The Washington Capitals kept their playoff hopes alive with a 3-0 win, potentially marking the final regular season matchup between Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby.

WATCH OUT FOR THOSE COCKROACH CAPS#CapsPens | #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/uu8vO9kd4y

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 12, 2026

Meanwhile, the Montreal Canadiens eliminated the Islanders with a road win. The push for the playoffs is heating up in the NHL. 

Maîtres du match

Habs win? Par for the course#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/BX6pniWSqT

— x - Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) April 13, 2026

Trevor Van Riemsdyk's second-period goal gave Washington the lead. Despite being outshot 49-43, they held off the Penguins.

Connor McMichael scored twice in the third period, including an empty-netter, to seal the Capitals' 3-0 win over the Penguins. Washington's third straight win puts them just a point behind the Flyers for the last Eastern Conference playoff spot.

Pittsburgh's loss dropped them behind the Bruins, who edged Columbus 3-2 to climb the standings. 

The Capitals need a win over the Blue Jackets, plus a Flyers stumble, to sneak into the playoffs.

Montreal Canadiens ended New Jersey's playoff hopes with a 4-1 road win. They blitzed the Islanders in the second period, scoring thrice in 55 seconds via Suzuki, Demidov, and Newhook.

Casey Cizikas pulled one back for the Islanders, but Montreal's Zachary Bolduc scored to ice the win, ending New York's playoff hopes.

The Islanders' loss was their fifth in six games, costing them a postseason spot. The Canadiens, meanwhile, have won three of their last four, positioning themselves for the Eastern Conference playoffs. 

Nico Hischier led the Devils to a 4-3 OT win over Ottawa, scoring two goals and an assist, including the game-winner.

Hope you enjoyed the encore.

— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) April 13, 2026

It was a wild one in Anaheim, with the Ducks falling 4-3 to Vancouver in a shootout. Meanwhile, the Flames dominated Utah 4-1, scoring twice in the first and third periods.