Washington’s Alex Ovechkin had three goals to reach 50 for the seventh time, Braden Holtby won his 48th game to tie the NHL single-season record and the visiting Capitals dashed the St. Louis Blues’ Central Division title hopes with a 5-1 victory on Saturday night.
St. Louis’ loss meant Dallas earned the Central title and the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. The Blues finish as the third seed in the West and face defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago in the first round of the playoffs.
“Might as well start at the top,” coach Ken Hitchcock said about Chicago.