WASHINGTON — The Washington Capitals are headed to the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Washington officially punched its ticket to the postseason on Thursday after defeating the Philadelphia Flyers, 3-2, in regulation, while the New York Islanders also failed to secure a regulation win over the Montreal Canadiens, securing the spot for D.C.
The Capitals, who were the last team to qualify in last season's finale, are the first team in the NHL to clinch a playoff berth this season and the first to hit the 100-point mark. The team is also guaranteed a top-three finish in the Metropolitan Division.
Washington is the first team since 1979-80 to go from being the last team to clinch a playoff spot in one season to the first team to do so in the next.
This marks the 10th time in the last 11 seasons and the 34th time in franchise history that the Capitals have qualified for the postseason. Washington's 16 playoff appearances since 2007-08 are the most in the NHL over that span.