The Eastern Conference will go through D.C.
The Washington Capitals clinched the No. 1 seed in the conference with their 5-4 shootout victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday. This ensures a Round 1 matchup with the second wild-card team and home-ice advantage through the first three rounds of the playoffs, should the Caps make it that far.
Washington currently ranks second in the entire NHL behind the Winnipeg Jets.
It's been a true 180 for the Capitals, who barely squeaked into the postseason a year ago and missed the playoffs entirely in 2022-23.
It's the first time Washington has finished first in the conference since winning back-to-back Presidents' Trophies in 2016 and 2017.
