Your savory breakfast links:
- Points, points, everywhere…but not enough to make the playoffs. [Rink]
- Recaps of last night’s season-closing win in Columbus from us (sorta), Vogs, Caps video ( Ovechkin, Chychrun, Wilson, recap), NHL, AP, Dispatch, THN, RMNB, and the Cannon.
- We don’t know if last night was it for the Caps’ captain…but that’s not going to stop any of us from reflecting on the incredible legacy he will leave behind whenever he calls it a career. [Banner]
- His team also has his back as he makes this very tough decision. [NHL]
- Whether or not Alex Ovechkin decides to return next year, the Capitals should keep the same plan in place for their offseason. [THN]
- A simple game of sewer ball might have been among his last, and it might not be, but it’s a ritual that underlines how much Ovechkin loves – and is loved by – “the boys”. [WaPo]
- The Caps will sit out this postseason for the first time since 2023, and (as noted in the link above), there are any number of reasons why – but also plenty of reason for optimism. [NHL]
- NHL goalies have seen their save percentages fall drastically this season, the average under .900 for the first time in three decades. [AP]
- Finally, happy 68th birthday to Keith Acton, happy 49th to Brian Pothier, and happy 43rd to Ilya Kovalchuk!