How eight Eastern Conference teams can get back into playoffs
Panthers, Rangers, Sabres among those who didn't qualify last season
by Adam Kimelman @NHLAdamK / NHL.com Deputy Managing Editor
For the eight Eastern Conference teams that missed the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs, their goal since the second week of April has been determining how to extend their season into May, or even June, like the Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals.
NHL.com examines how those eight teams can take the next step and qualify for the playoffs this season:
'Quest for the Stanley Cup' reaches dramatic conclusion in final episode
Ovechkin, Oshie steal the show in wake of championship effort by Capitals
by Cristina Ledra @cledra / NHL.com Staff Writer
The Washington Captials exhibited a range of emotions when they closed out 2018 as Stanley Cup champions. In the end, it was all about having fun, from staying loose going into what turned into the final game of the season, to the non-stop party that followed.
Ovechkin, Holtby join Fallon for drink out of Stanley Cup
Capitals made appearance on 'The Tonight Show' with trophy
NHL.com @NHLdotcom
The Washington Capitals showed the world a new way to drink out of the Stanley Cup, and talk show host Jimmy Fallon just had to go bottoms up.
Top 12 viral moments of Stanley Cup Playoffs
Capitals celebration, Golden Knights pregame shows among memorable online highlights
NHL.com @NHLdotcom
The 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs were filled with epic moments on the ice. There were amazing goals, acrobatic saves, tremendous passes and stingy defense.
But we aren't concerned with any of that. Our Short Shifts crew put together the 12 most viral moments of the postseason.
Stanley Cup Playoff top memories shared by NHL.com
Writers offer favorite moments from 2018 postseason
NHL.com @NHLdotcom
The lasting image of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs will undoubtedly be the pure joy on the face of Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin when he was handed the Stanley Cup by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman following Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 7.
Capitals GM MacLellan quietly savors Stanley Cup victory
Avoids spotlight with big decisions on Trotz, Carlson looming
by Mike Zeisberger @Zeisberger / NHL.com Staff Writer
LAS VEGAS -- Brian MacLellan doesn't seek the spotlight, not even here in this glitzy city. He'll be the first to tell you that.
Capitals joined by Nationals in Stanley Cup party
Ovechkin throws first pitch to start day at ballpark; teammates bask in glow of first title
by Tom Gulitti @TomGulittiNHL / NHL.com Staff Writer
WASHINGTON -- Showing no signs of slowing down, the Washington Capitals' Stanley Cup celebration continued at Nationals Park on Saturday.
The Capitals and the Stanley Cup were the Washington Nationals' guests for their 7-5 win against the San Francisco Giants, visiting them in their clubhouse beforehand and cheering them on from a private suite down the third base line.
Capitals rode power-play success, shot blocking to Stanley Cup
Numbers suggest Golden Knights may have held puck more, but Washington's advantage in key areas helped sway Final
by Rob Vollman / NHL.com Correspondent
Although the Vegas Golden Knights lost in the Stanley Cup Final to the Washington Capitals in five games, they may have controlled the play more often, according to the numbers.
The Capitals power play, the inability of Golden Knights top-six forwards like Jonathan Marchessault to score, a reversal in fortunes for Vegas goalie Marc-Andre Fleury and Washington's shot blocking were the deciding factors.
Capitals' Cup run defined by 'The Stick' save, 'The Post' miss
Hall of Famer Bowman says Final against Golden Knights swung on Holtby stop, Neal errant shot
by Mike Zeisberger @zeisberger / NHL.com Staff Writer
LAS VEGAS -- The paddle of a goalie stick.
The width of a goal post.
Golden Knights disappointed but optimistic following Cup Final loss
Changes expected; hope to keep identity, chemistry intact
by Lisa Dillman @reallisa / NHL.com Staff Writer
LAS VEGAS -- Vegas Golden Knights general manager George McPhee couldn't have put it any better, adeptly describing the vacant feeling of losing in the Stanley Cup Final, coupled with the sense of accomplishment in their inaugural season.
McPhee was proud of his team, and rightly so. But he said the 4-3 loss to the Washington Capitals in Game 5 at T-Mobile Arena on Thursday left them running the gamut of emotions.