The win ensures Pittsburgh will finish second in the Metropolitan Division, setting up a first-round matchup against either the Philadelphia Flyers or the New York Islanders. Both the Pittsburgh Penguins and San Jose Sharks missed the playoffs every season since 2019 until now. Defenseman Erik Karlsson, who last played in the playoffs in 2019 with San Jose, is back in the postseason for the first time in seven years.
Karlsson scored a goal and an assist in the victory over New Jersey. His return marks a significant milestone after a lengthy playoff absence. Elsewhere in the Eastern Conference, the Ottawa Senators strengthened their hold on the final wild card spot with a decisive 5-1 win over the Florida Panthers.
Fun, of course, to get a little reward, but it's the two points for the team that are the really, really nice ones.
Fabian Zetterlund scored two goals for Ottawa, contributing to the team's offensive surge. The victory gives the Senators a three-point lead over the chasing teams below the playoff line, bolstering their playoff positioning. Florida's lone goal in the loss came from Jesper Boqvist, while defenseman Ludvig Jansson made his NHL debut for the Panthers in a challenging game.
In the broader Eastern Conference playoff race, it was a good night for the Ottawa Senators, Detroit Red Wings, and New York Islanders, who all gained ground. Conversely, it was a bad night for the Columbus Blue Jackets and Philadelphia Flyers, as their playoff hopes dimmed. The results have tightened the race for the final postseason spots, with key matchups looming.