NHL playoff standings: Capitals in a must-win game? - ESPN

A year ago, the Washington Capitals were on their way to finishing with the best record in the Eastern Conference and a first-round matchup against the Montreal Canadiens, which they won 4-1. Alex Ovechkin also finished off his historic chase of Wayne Gretzky's career goal-scoring record.

Ovechkin has added 31 goals to his ledger this season, but the Capitals' playoff status is nowhere near as secure as it was at the tail end of the 2024-25 campaign.

As the games begin Wednesday, the Caps are five points behind the Ottawa Senators for the second wild-card spot and two regulation wins behind. They are also five points behind the Philadelphia Flyers for the No. 3 seed in the Metro Division, with eight more regulation wins than the Flyers.

Unfortunately, there are three other teams between Washington and Ottawa (the Red Wings, Islanders and Blue Jackets) and two between the Capitals and Philly (New York and Columbus). So there's a path to the postseason for the Caps, but they will need some help.

The next step in the process is Wednesday's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs (7:30 p.m., ESPN+). This is not technically a must-win game, but there is not much wiggle room left. After Toronto, the Caps visit the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday (3 p.m. ET, ABC), then host the Pens in Washington, D.C., on Sunday (3 p.m. ET, TNT). Washington's final game of the season is Tuesday at the Blue Jackets (7 p.m., ESPN).

The projections are not buying a miraculous run here for the Capitals, with Stathletes giving them just a 4.0% chance of making the playoffs. But that's not zero, and Washington will certainly be battling to the bitter end.

Every team has six or fewer games remaining before the regular season concludes April 16, and