The Washington Capitals can be the first Metropolitan Division team to secure a spot in the 2018-19 Stanley Cup playoffs on Thursday night.

If the Capitals can defeat the Carolina Hurricanes in any fashion, regulation or overtime, they will make it into the playoffs for the fifth consecutive year.

The reigning #StanleyCup Champion @Capitals can clinch their fifth consecutive trip to the postseason tonight. #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/dUq3V5oizX

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 28, 2019

The Capitals can also clinch a spot if they lose in overtime or a shootout and the Montreal Canadiens and Columbus Blue Jackets game is decided in regulation.

Alex Ovechkin can also become only the third player ever to score 50 goals in eight career seasons if he can light the lamp tonight against the Hurricanes.