The Washington Capitals did what they needed to do against the Pittsburgh Penguins to stay in playoff contention, but unfortunately, two of their three Metropolitan Division rivals also did the same.
The Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Winnipeg Jets 7-1.
The Columbus Blue Jackets also blew out the Montreal Canadiens 5-2.
While the New York Islanders were shut out 3-0, that game also had consequences for the Capitals as it eliminated them from contention for the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Ottawa Senators clinched the eighth seed.
So how do things stand with two games remaining on the schedule?
The Flyers continue to hold the third spot with 94 standings points, as the Blue Jackets (92), Capitals (91), and Islanders (91) all trail them and remain alive.
The Flyers have home games remaining with the Carolina Hurricanes (clinched first in the Metro) and the Montreal Canadiens, who are fighting for the Atlantic Division crown. The Flyers need just two points — a win in either game or two losses in overtime/shootout — to eliminate the Capitals. If the Capitals win out and get W’s in both remaining games against Pittsburgh and Columbus, they’d need the Flyers to do no better than 0-1-1.
In a situation where the Capitals fall in overtime or a shootout to the Penguins or Blue Jackets, they can still technically qualify. In that case, they’d need to win one of the two games; the Flyers would need to lose both of their games in regulation; and the Blue Jackets would need to not gain more than 2 points in their last 2 games.
The good news is: if the Capitals tie any remaining Metro team in the division’s third spot, they would make the playoffs as they have already clinched the regulation wins tiebreaker.
MoneyPuck has the Capitals’ chances at 8 percent heading into their final two games. Which, honestly, if you ask me, is a good omen.
