The Washington Capitals were the first team in the NHL to clinch a playoff berth. Now they’re the first team to become division champions.
The Capitals notched their first division win since 2019-20 thanks to the Carolina Hurricanes losing 3-0 in regulation to the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night.
Winning the division means the Capitals will have home ice in at least the first two rounds of the playoffs.
This marks the sixth Metropolitan Division championship in Capitals’ franchise history. They won the Metro previously five consecutive seasons from 2015-2020.
The Capitals are currently 49-19-9 and have 107 standings points, good for first in the Eastern Conference. They sit three points behind the Winnipeg Jets in their chase for the Presidents’ Trophy.
The Caps were swept in the first round of the playoffs last year by the New York Rangers.
