Capitals playoffs odds back in double digits after regulation victory over Philadelphia Flyers

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Capitals playoffs odds back in double digits after regulation victory over Philadelphia Flyers

The Washington Capitals’ playoff chances, which were near-zero a week ago, are back in double digits.

Fresh off a 6-4 regulation victory over the Philadelphia Flyers, the Capitals, who have won three straight, now have a 15.1 percent chance to make the postseason per MoneyPuck.

As the Capitals beat the Flyers Tuesday night, four other games fell in their favor in what was one of their luckiest nights of the season. The New York Islanders lost to the Buffalo Sabres 4-3 in regulation, the Ottawa Senators fell to the Florida Panthers 6-3, the Detroit Red Wings were blown out by the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-1, and the Columbus Blue Jackets took a 5-2 L to the Carolina Hurricanes.

All five teams are directly in front of the Capitals in the Eastern Conference playoff race. And with all five teams absorbing regulation losses, the Capitals are now, excuse my yelling, IN THE THICK OF THINGS.

NHL standings as of the morning of April 1 (and this is no April Fools here)

Screenshot: NHL.com/standings

MoneyPuck playoff odds for the teams directly in front of the Capitals

*New York Islanders – 52.7%
*Columbus Blue Jackets – 43.7%
Ottawa Senators – 41.0%
Detroit Red Wings – 32.2%
Philadelphia Flyers – 22.2%
Washington Capitals – 15.1%

* In playoff spot currently

The Capitals sit four points behind the third-place New York Islanders in the Metropolitan Division for an automatic playoff spot, and they have one game in hand on the Isles. They are also now three points behind the Columbus Blue Jackets for the second wild card spot in the East.

The team that appears to be the most in danger of being supplanted out of a playoff spot entirely is the Islanders (89 standings points). The Isles are 5-5-0 in their last 10 games and seem likely to fritter away M3 to Columbus (88 standings points), as the surging Blue Jackets have gone 19-6-5 in their last 30 games since Rick Bowness took over as head coach.

If the Isles fall into the crowded group of teams competing for the second wild card spot, the Capitals would have to beat them out, along with the Ottawa Senators, Detroit Red Wings, and Philadelphia Flyers, for the final wild card spot.

Somewhat hilariously, one of the Capitals’ biggest weaknesses — winning in overtime or the shootout — could end up being one of the team’s biggest strengths if they can continue to claw back into contention. Their 32 regulation wins are tied with the Senators for the most among the teams scrambling for a playoff spot. So if the Capitals end up tied with another team other than the Senators, they will likely win the first tiebreaker.

So there is hope. Not much. But some.

Capitals remaining schedule