The 2023-24 Washington Capitals simply carry on discovering methods to provide you with two factors from large video games.
Tuesday night time was no totally different because the Capitals stored the Detroit Purple Wings at bay with a 4-3 victory in time beyond regulation. With the win, Washington stays within the second wild-card playoff spot and will increase their lead over Detroit to 2 factors whereas nonetheless holding a sport in hand.
After the mud settled — with a number of video games within the Jap Convention ending across the identical time — right here’s what the race at present seems to be like.
The Capitals had the possibility to leap over the Philadelphia Flyers for third within the Metropolitan Division, however Philadelphia secured a late level in opposition to the Rangers of their matchup. With a regulation loss, they’d have fallen behind the Capitals based mostly on factors share.
With their win over the Flyers, the Rangers grew to become the primary crew within the league to clinch a playoff spot this 12 months. They’re additionally the primary crew to hit the 100-point mark. If each groups stay of their present playoff positions, the Rangers would develop into the Caps’ first-round opponent.
Whereas Washington stood to achieve way more with a regulation win in opposition to Detroit, the OT victory nonetheless improved their playoff possibilities by about 7-8 p.c throughout generally cited statistical fashions. On the flip facet, the Purple Wings noticed their playoff chance drop by about 5 p.c.
After wrapping up this 3-1 homestand, the Capitals could have a fast one-game highway journey in Toronto to try to get some revenge for his or her current loss to the Maple Leafs. They’ll then alternate taking part in at residence and away for the subsequent 5 video games earlier than assembly up with the Purple Wings once more on April 9.
The Capitals have gained six of their final seven video games (6-1-0) and enter Thursday’s sport at Toronto on a three-game successful streak.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) March 27, 2024
Per Tankathon, Detroit and Washington share the identical problem in remaining schedule on the subject of the mixed factors share of their opposition (.576). Neither crew has any Western Convention opponents left to face this season.