Not that it makes much of a difference, but that theoretical -24 goal differential that is constantly brought up is, in reality, a -19. The extra 5 comes from the out-of-thin-air goal teams are awarded for shootout victories (in which the Panthers lost five more than they won).

I’m a Caps fan, but in the interest of fairness, playoff games are decided based on full-time 5-on-5, not in 4-on-4 overtime or the shootout. The Panthers in regulation this season were 31-26. The Devils were 32-28. It’s more even than most are giving credit for.