After securing a playoff berth four days ago, the Washington Capitals can clinch the Metropolitan Division tonight.
It would be their fourth consecutive Metropolitan Division title and their ninth division title win in 12 seasons.
TONIGHT: The @Capitals can clinch the Metropolitan Division for a 4th consecutive season and the @MapleLeafs can qualify for the playoffs in three straight campaigns for the first time in 15 years (1998-99 to 2003-04). #NHLStats #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/f0MNkXEyvo
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 1, 2019
The Caps can win the Metro if these conditions are met:
- The Capitals beat the Florida Panthers.
- The New York Islanders lose to the Toronto Maple Leafs in regulation.
The Capitals could become the third team to win their division, with only the Central division remaining.
If the playoffs started today, the Capitals would play the first wildcard team, the Columbus Blue Jackets, in the first round. According to @IneffectiveMath, Columbus has a 53 percent chance of matching up against Washington again in the opening round.
Depending on how the last few games shake out, the Capitals could also end up playing the Pittsburgh Penguins, Carolina Hurricanes, or Montreal Canadiens.
