The Capitals have clinched the Metropolitan Division crown, but the playoff positioning below them remains in flux. Entering Friday’s games, the Carolina Hurricanes were in the Eastern Conference’s first wild-card position, which would slot them against the Capitals in the first round. But the Pittsburgh Penguins and Columbus Blue Jackets still could finish in that spot. Columbus can top out at 98 points, and Pittsburgh already has 99, so the Blue Jackets can’t finish higher than the first wild card. The Penguins, though battling injuries of late, have played the Capitals in three straight postseasons, winning the first two series.

Source: Washington Post April 05, 2019 20:07 UTC