Capitals Ruthlessly End Red Wings' Playoff Dreams Just Moments After Miraculous Goal

Washington spoiled Detroit's improbable comeback by scoring an empty-net goal over 450 miles away.

Philadelphia Flyers vs. Washington Capitals / Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Red Wings needed a miracle to reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and they all but pulled it off during a dramatic finish against the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday.

Unfortunately for the Red Wings, their fate was not entirely in their hands.

Heading into Tuesday's slate, the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot was up for grabs, with the Red Wings, Washington Capitals, Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins all within striking distance. The Red Wings needed both a win and a Washington loss to have a shot at reaching the playoffs.

For a second consecutive day, Detroit miraculously kept its season alive with a last-second goal. Lucas Raymond played hero Monday, but on Tuesday night it was Red Wings winger David Perron scoring with five seconds remaining in regulation to tie the game 4–4 and force overtime.

For a few moments, the Red Wings' season still was alive.

But Detroit's hopes were dashed when—in a matter of minutes—the Capitals scored an empty-net goal over 450 miles away at Wells Fargo Arena to give them a late 2–1 lead over Philadelphia.

The Capitals hung on to win, putting an end to the playoff dreams of the Red Wings, Flyers and Penguins.

THE WINGS DID IT AGAIN THEY TIE IT WITH 3.3 SECONDS LEFT 😱 pic.twitter.com/Ye9xpZsc1M

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 17, 2024

The Flyers went with an empty-net approach to try and secure a win in regulation, which was their only route to the postseason as they needed to prevent Washington from gaining a point. The Capitals were able to take advantage of the empty net, scoring the game-winning goal with two minutes left in regulation.

What a wild night of hockey.