Wayne Gretzky's retirement on April 18, 1999, at Madison Square Garden marked a poignant chapter in NHL history. 'The Great One' concluded his illustrious career with a scoreless game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, yet managed an assist, setting his career total to 2,857 points. His farewell was celebrated with a ceremony featuring hockey legends, underlining his profound impact on the sport.

The game's conclusion, which saw Jaromir Jagr score the overtime winner for the Penguins, was laced with irony and significance. Gretzky acknowledged the symbolic passing of the torch to Jagr, emphasizing the depth of their connection. He recounted Jagr's apology for scoring against him, a moment that resonated deeply in the realm of hockey lore.

In the final regular-season game, Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin demonstrated why they are considered two of the game's greatest as the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Washington Capitals 5-2. Ovechkin capped off a historic season with his 897th career goal, while Crosby finished his 20th season with a goal and an assist, reaching the 90-point mark for the ninth time. This matchup had little at stake, with the Capitals already securing the top seed in the playoffs and the Penguins missing out.

Despite the Penguins' rebuilding phase, Bryan Rust shined with two goals, including a highlight-reel backhand from Crosby. As the Capitals gear up for their playoff run against the Montreal Canadiens, they will aim for their second Stanley Cup after a painful exit earlier in their postseason history. Ovechkin's 44 goals this season not only secured him the title of goal king but also solidified his place in NHL history.

The Pittsburgh Penguins ended their season on a high note, defeating the Washington Capitals 5-2 at PPG Paints Arena. Despite the victory not influencing their playoff chances or overall season record, it provided a much-needed momentum boost heading into the offseason. The two points earned ironically hindered their draft position, as a win for the Capitals would have allowed the Sabres to leapfrog the Penguins in the pre-lottery draft order.

Although the Penguins missed the playoffs, this victory serves as a morale lift and a stepping stone for future improvements. Players and fans alike can reflect on the positives, but the offseason will be critical for the team's rebuild and adjustments needed to meet the challenges ahead.

The Washington Capitals closed their regular season with a loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, finishing with a commendable record of 51-22-9 and 111 points. Notably, goaltender Clay Stevenson made his NHL debut with 31 saves amidst a challenging matchup. Connor McMichael netted the first goal, but the Penguins quickly countered with Bryan Rust equalizing shortly after. Ovechkin, celebrated for becoming the NHL's all-time goals leader, managed to score on a power play. Despite all efforts, the Capitals fell behind as Pittsburgh capitalized with a series of goals, leading to a final score of 5-2. The Capitals now turn their focus to the playoffs, where they will face the Montreal Canadiens in the opening round.

The Colorado Avalanche are optimistic that all players will be ready for Game 1, scheduled for Saturday. However, the Dallas Stars face uncertainty as defenseman Miro Heiskanen may not return for the playoffs due to knee surgery, despite recent skating sessions. Stars forward Tyler Seguin has been activated from LTIR but Jason Robertson left the last game with a lower-body injury, creating additional concerns. Meanwhile, the Florida Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk is hopeful to play in Game 1 after a recent return to the ice.

In other injury news, Dougie Hamilton of the New Jersey Devils successfully returned after missing 18 games. Brady Tkachuk of the Ottawa Senators is a game-time decision for their regular-season finale. The Pittsburgh Penguins are dealing with Kris Letang's heart surgery recovery, expected to keep him sidelined for several weeks. Meanwhile, players like Jared McCann, Elvis Merzlikins, and others continue to navigate their respective injuries as the playoffs approach.