Technically, there is still a sliver of hope. Mathematically, the Ottawa Senators remain alive in the playoff race. For how much longer, though?
The Senators are the lone Canadian team still in a playoff race following a 2-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday. The Sens were without forward Mark Stone for the third period after he was on the receiving end of a massive hit from Dustin Byfuglien in the second period.
With the win, the Senators moved eight points back of the Philadelphia Flyers, the final Wild Card team in the Eastern Conference, with five games remaining on their schedule. The Flyers were still in action versus Washington at the same time this game was wrapping up.
If (or when) the Senators don’t make the playoffs, it would mark the first time since 1970 that not a single Canadian NHL team would qualify for the post-season.
Updated: The Flyers came back to defeat the Washington Capitals in the shootout later in the evening, which eliminates the Senators from playoff contention.
With Flyers' win over Capitals, Senators are eliminated, meaning all seven Canadian NHL clubs will now officially miss the playoffs.
— SportsCentre (@SportsCentre) March 31, 2016