Capitals Need To Win Out And Luck To Make Playoffs

While the uncertainty of Alex Ovechkin's retirement has hung like a cloud over the team, the more important thing happening here is the struggle of the likelihood of missing the playoffs. The Capitals are five points out of a playoff spot with three games left, things look pretty bleak. That being said, Washington could still miraculously make the playoffs.

The last three games is a weekend two game series against arch nemesis Pittsburgh Penguins and a season finale against Columbus Blue Jackets, another playoff contender, on Tuesday. That's six potential points. That being said, there is some hope. Pittsburgh has already clinched a playoff spot and are unlikely to lose that number two seed in the Metropolitan Division. While probably the Penguins will want to see their arch nemesis miss the playoffs, they won't be going as hard as Pittsburgh will want to save some of their best players against injuries. Columbus will be a tough one, but a win against them is a strong possibility as they have gone 2-7-1 in their last 10.

While that all sounds fine and dandy, Washington will need help. Ottawa (94 points) will need to lose all their games. While Detroit (91), New York Islanders (91), and Columbus (90) are out in front of them, there is still a path. To math here, all these teams need to lose at least two out of their last three in order for the Capitals to make it. Outside of Ottawa, Washington has the best goal differential here. If the Capitals lose one or Ottawa wins one or loses in overtime, it's over for Washington and after looking at the Senators' schedule, it's hard to see them losing all of their matches as they play the Islanders whom have pretty much woven the white flag after firing their general manager and Toronto who has been terrible in this 2025-26 campaign.

The Capitals pretty much shot themselves in the foot with losses to New Jersey and New York Rangers, by a combined 15 goals to Washington's four this month. There is no one else to blame aside from themselves, but the possibility of a playoff spot is at least exciting. Let's hope everything works out in their favor, but things look pretty bleak.