Deen’s Daily: Habs Push Avs to Shootout; Playoff Seeding Races Heat Up; Maroon Announces Retirement

The Avs almost let another game slip away in the third period but found a way to respond. Ovechkin didn’t score but the Capitals keep proving they are legitimate Stanley Cup contenders. Also, what’s the latest in the Central Division standings?

All that and more on this edition of Deen’s Daily — March 23.

Colorado Hockey Now

The Montreal Canadiens trailed the Avalanche 4-1 in the third period but mustered three goals in less than six minutes to force OT. In the extra frame, Habs goalie Sam Montembeault helped kill a Colorado penalty. But it was Mackenzie Blackwood who was the better netminder in the shootout.

Around The NHL

Central Division: The Dallas Stars also needed to play past regulation to get two points. They led 2-0 against the Philadelphia Flyers before winning 3-2 in OT. Dallas is three points up on Colorado and has two games in hand. In case you’re wondering how tough it might be for the Avs to get home ice advantage, the Stars would basically need to go 7-5-1 the rest of the way and Colorado 9-2-0 just to tie them in points. In that scenario, Colorado probably would get home-ice advantage because of the tiebreakers. But that should give you an idea of how little room for error there is left on the Avs’ part to make it happen.

Philadelphia Hockey Now: Catch the game story and the player grades from the Flyer’s point of view. They almost upset the Stars. How fun would that have been?

Montreal Hockey Now: It was still a key point in the wildcard standings for the Montreal Canadiens. Two would’ve been great, but just getting one was a big help.

Ottawa Hockey Now: The Sens are another team fighting for wildcard positioning in the East. They came out with two points against the New Jersey Devils. Both the Habs and Sens enter Sunday in wildcard playoff spots.

New Jersey Hockey Now: Bad loss for the Devils, but Jesper Bratt broke a 31-year-old franchise record.

Florida Hockey Now: Ovechkin had two assists for the Caps, who slammed the Panthers 6-3 in a battle between two Eastern Conference juggernauts.

Chicago Hockey Now: Patrick Maroon announced his retirement ahead of his last game in St. Louis.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Tristan Jarry playing well is a good thing for the Pens, even if it ruins their chances at a top draft pick in June.