It's crazy - the NHL standings are bizarre and hard to predict. Just by looking at rosters at the start of the season, any reasonable person would have assumed both Calgary and Edmonton would be locks to be in the Playoffs. Hardly anyone would have though Vegas would make it, and almost everyone I talked to thought the Capitals were due to have some massive regression.
That's why you play the games!
(And also why I look at my calculator)
Tonight, to the surprise of everyone, the Capitals can clinch a playoff spot. Though, it's not that newsworthy due to their having had about a 99% chance of making it for the last several weeks.
The Caps can clinch a playoff spot tonight if they get a point and Philadelphia loses in regulation. If Caps beat the Rangers and Flyers lose in any fashion, Caps clinch then, too.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) March 28, 2018
So that is pretty exciting anyways! Nothing like a good clincher, is what I always say.
Also of note, Shane Gerich will be making his NHL debut tonight.
Anyways, it's Capitals vs Rangers and the countdown to the Playoffs is on.