Red Wings eliminated from NHL playoff picture with 5-3 loss to Devils

DETROIT (AP) — Jesper Bratt’s scored his second goal with 3:34 left in the third period, helping the New Jersey Devils eliminate the Detroit Red Wings from the NHL playoff picture with a 5-3 win on Saturday.

Detroit extended the league's longest active postseason drought, dating to the 2016 season when the franchise earned a berth for the 25th consecutive season in what was a remarkable run that included four Stanley Cup championships.

The Red Wings were in a playoff position for 148 days of the season, according to Sportradar, to raise expectations higher than they've been since the hockey-crazed state has experienced the playoffs a long time ago.

They went ahead against New Jersey in the first, second and third periods — and lost every lead.

On an odd-man rush, Bratt scored the go-ahead goal from the left circle off a perfect pass from Jack Hughes in the right circle with John Gibson flailing around in an attempt to stop the puck. Dawson Mercer added an empty-net goal with a minute left.

Gibson had 27 saves for the Red Wings and Jake Allen stopped 25 shots for the Devils.

Detroit’s Justin Faulk broke a scoreless tie midway through the opening period.

Olympic hero Hughes, playing about 25 miles from where he skated in high school at USA Hockey Arena, scored his 27th goal of the season a minute later.

The Red Wings went back ahead on David Perron's goal with 8:01 left in the second period, but failed to keep the lead again. Bratt scored a game-tying goal, giving him at least 21 for a fifth straight season.

Emmitt Finnie scored a tiebreaking goal seven minutes into the third to put the Red Wings ahead again, but Cody Glass pulled the Devils into another tie midway through the period.

Devils: Host Ottawa on Sunday.

Red Wings: At Tampa Bay on Monday.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Detroit Red Wings left wing David Perron, middle, is congratulated by defenseman Simon Edvinsson, left, and left wing Carter Mazur during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, April 11, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

New Jersey Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe, center top, watches the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Detroit Red Wings, Saturday, April 11, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes reacts after scoring during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Detroit Red Wings, Saturday, April 11, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

Detroit Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan, center, watches the first period of an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils, Saturday, April 11, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson (77) moves the puck away from New Jersey Devils center Dawson Mercer, back right, during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, April 11, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The 100th career matchup between generational stars Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin never materialized during the Washington Capitals 6-3 victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday.

But that didn’t stop the crowd from showing its appreciation for Ovechkin in what could be his final game in Pittsburgh.

The Penguins opted to sit Crosby and several other regulars after securing a playoff berth for the first time since the 2021-22 season and home ice advantage throughout the first round.

During a television timeout in the second period, the Penguins showed a video tribute honoring Ovechkin and his longstanding rivalry with Crosby.

“It was nice,” Ovechkin said. “It was a show of respect for all the time we spent in the rivalry … playoffs, regular season … it shows respect.”

Ovechkin received a standing ovation from the crowd in Pittsburgh, as the Capitals’ captain stood up from the bench and waved while players tapped their sticks on the ice in appreciation.

“You could feel in that moment what (Ovechkin) has meant to the Pittsburgh Penguins’ fans and this city, that even though they hate the Washington Capitals, they appreciate what has gone on over the last 21 seasons,” Capitals’ coach Spencer Carbery said. “You can tell there’s a genuine appreciation from the city.”

Ovechkin is the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer, while Crosby is the only player in league history to average a point per game for 21 straight seasons.

While the 38-year-old Crosby is signed through next year, the 40-year-old Ovechkin said he’s waiting until after the season to decide whether he’s calling it a career.

“I don’t care who’s playing, we just have to get two points,” Ovechkin said. “We’re still in it and that’s a good thing.”

Crosby and the Penguins are 56-39-4 through the first 99 head-to-head matchups against Ovechkin. It’s unclear if No. 100 will come on Sunday afternoon when the teams face each other for the final time in the regular season.

The two have combined for five Hart Trophies, four Stanley Cup championships and more than 3,400 points. The winner of their four head-to-head series went on to win the Stanley Cup each time, Crosby in 2009, ’16 and ’17, while Ovechkin followed in 2018.

“They’re two legends,” Capitals forward Tom Wilson said. “I think it’s awesome to see the Pittsburgh crowd give him that respect. Hopefully he keeps playing, but if not, it’s been a heck of a front-row seat from my perspective.”

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin (8) skates during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates with goaltender Logan Thompson (48) after an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Washington Capitals' Ilya Protas (62) celebrates with Alex Ovechkin (8) after scoring his first NHL goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin (8) sits on the bench with Tom Wilson (43) after scoring on a empty-net during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates with Tom Wilson after scoring an empty-net goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)