Ted Starkey

Washington can clinch top seed in the East with a win of any kind. A single point isn’t quite a clincher but the Caps are getting towards winning the tiebreakers.

The first-round matchup of Carolina and New Jersey is set, so Washington will play one of the Wild Cards in round one, most likely Montreal in Wild Card 2.

Maple Leafs and Lightning going to overtime, so no clinch for Caps. Should Tampa win, magic number is 1. Toronto, 2.

Washington, who clinched the Metro Division while idle Tuesday, can clinch top seed in the East with a Toronto regulation loss tonight in Tampa.

Current standings. Y ask Y. https://t.co/q3OqT6DMqi

Washington was the first team to clinch a playoff spot, and now the first to clinch their division, which ensures they play one of the two Wild Cards, as Carolina and New Jersey are virtually assured a first-round matchup.

Of course, Capitals have met the Canadiens once in the playoffs, who beat out the Presidents’ Trophy winning Capitals in 7 games. in 2010. Two active players for Washington played in that series, Alex Ovechkin and John Carlson. Nicklas Backstrom is on the roster, but won’t play.

Toronto plays Tampa Wednesday and if they lose in regulation, Washington will have the top seed in the East secured by the time they play Thursday. Toronto has an outside shot at the tiebreaks, so 2 points will be needed.

Washington’s first-round opponent looking more and more like Montreal, who are closing in on a playoff berth with a pending win over Detroit.

Washington has 5 games remaining and there will be a Preseason II quality to them with their playoff seed almost secure.

Washington clinches their first Metropolitan Division title since the COVID-shortened 2019-20 season by virtue of Carolina’s loss in Buffalo. Caps need 1 point gained or lost by Toronto to secure top seed in the Eastern Conference.

That presumed 2-3 match in the Metro combining for a 10-2 deficit to two also-ran teams. Washington less than 8 minutes from having the Metro delivered to them with a side of blue cheese.

3-0 Buffalo.

2-0 Buffalo.

Halfway through regulation, Buffalo leads Carolina. If the Sabres win in regulation, the Metro race is over.