The Washington Capitals’ victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday was huge. With a regulation loss, they would have been eliminated from postseason contention. Instead, the Cockroach Caps delivered a clutch 3-0 victory and stayed alive in their chase for the Metropolitan Division’s third spot.
Around the league, the Capitals also got big help from two Atlantic Division teams.
The Montreal Canadiens defeated the New York Islanders 3-1 in regulation, eliminating the Isles from postseason contention.
The Columbus Blue Jackets fell to the Boston Bruins 3-2, allowing the Capitals to jump over them for fourth in the Metro.
The division standings look like this as of now.
Metropolitan Division standings at the end of the night on April 12
Philadelphia, which plays Carolina and Montreal on Monday and Tuesday, has one game in hand on the Capitals and Blue Jackets.
M3 playoff scenarios
- If the Flyers record at least two standings points combined in their final two games, they will clinch a playoff spot.
- If the Capitals beat the Blue Jackets in any manner on Tuesday and the Flyers manage just one standings point in their final two games, the Capitals will make the playoffs because they hold the regulation wins tiebreaker.
- If Philadelphia loses both games in regulation and the Blue Jackets beat the Capitals in regulation, Columbus would make the playoffs because they hold the regulation wins tiebreaker over Philly.
- If Philadelphia loses both games in regulation and the Blue Jackets beat the Capitals in overtime or the shootout, the Capitals would make the playoffs because they hold the regulation wins tiebreaker over Philly and Columbus.
So heading into Tuesday’s Capitals-Blue Jackets game at Nationwide Arena, the only way that game will NOT matter is if Philadelphia beats the Hurricanes on Monday night at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
MoneyPuck has the Capitals’ playoff chances at 13.2 percent while the Flyers are now sitting at 80.5 percent.
But, friends, they still have a chance.
