Like that stink bug that crawls into an impossible-to-reach crevice in your house, the 2023-24 Washington Capitals just aren’t going away. Left for dead months ago, (also like a stink bug) the Capitals are 10-7-2 since returning from their bye week, earning 22 out of a possible 38 standings points.
With their victory Saturday over the Western Conference’s best team, the Vancouver Canucks, the Capitals put themselves in position to do something amazing on Monday.
If the Capitals defeat the Calgary Flames, they will move into the second and final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, leap-frogging the current occupant, the Detroit Red Wings, who do not play tonight.
The push for the playoffs heads to Calgary next… pic.twitter.com/vSqHizAEfb
— John Walton (@JohnWaltonPxP) March 17, 2024
The Capitals are also three points out from the Philadelphia Flyers, who currently hold the third and final guaranteed playoff spot in the Metropolitan Division. The Capitals hold two games in hand on them.
The Capitals’ current situation has excited radio voice of the team, John Walton, so much that he posted the hashtag #ItsOkToBelieve again on Twitter.
Islanders lose. Devils lose. Red Wings lose. If the Caps win tomorrow here in Calgary, Washington will move into the second wild card in the East. #ItsOKtoBelieve
— John Walton (@JohnWaltonPxP) March 18, 2024
The Capitals’ current playoff odds, which Money Puck had under 5 percent two months ago, have increased greatly. Money Puck currently has the Capitals’ odds as 37.8% while ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski shared Stathletes’ numbers, which has Washington’s chances slightly better than a coin flip.
***UPDATED***
Per Stathletes, current odds to make Stanley Cup Playoffs:
EAST
Bolts: 97.6%
Caps: 57.3%
Flyers: 55.7%
NYI: 51.2%
Red Wings: 20.3%
Penguins: 6.9%
NJD: 6.2%
Sabres: 4.8%WEST
Preds: 96.7%
Kings: 89.8%
VGK: 84.6%
Wild: 13.6%
Blues: 5.4%
Flames: 4.8%
Kraken : 1.2%— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) March 18, 2024
Led by inspired performances by captain Alex Ovechkin, goaltender Charlie Lindgren, and forwards from Hershey’s 2023 Calder Cup championship team, the Capitals have just found ways to win lately, earning big victories over Seattle, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia. They hold a goals differential of 61-60 since February started. Over the last 10 games, the Capitals have been outshot more than any other team at five-on-five except the St. Louis Blues, but have only been outscored by 1 goal (22 to 21).
Over his last five starts, Charlie Lindgren has a record of 4-1-0 with a 1.20 goals-against average and a .959 save percentage.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) March 17, 2024
But the Capitals playoff dream remains an uphill battle.
Now that they’ve gotten themselves back into the conversation, they must continue to win or bank points over the next month or they will be on the outside looking in at the end of the season. Per Tankathon, the Capitals have the fourth most-difficult remaining schedule (.588 points percentage) with games against Boston (2), Winnipeg, Carolina (2), Toronto (2), and Tampa on the horizon.
“We’re rallying together here,” Tom Wilson said. “We’re playing well. We’re playing together and that’s what it’s all about at this time of year.”
