The Washington Capitals became the first team to secure a playoff spot in the 2024-25 NHL season on Thursday with their 3-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers, combined with the Montreal Canadiens and New York Islanders game going to overtime.
This achievement marks a dramatic turnaround for Washington, which was the final team to qualify for the postseason in 2023-24, clinching their berth in the last game of the regular season against these same Flyers.
No NHL team had accomplished the feat of going from last to clinch in one season to first to clinch the following year since 1979-80.
Alex Ovechkin scored his 888th career goal in Thursday’s win, putting him just seven goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL record.
The Metropolitan Division-leading Capitals also became the first team to reach 100 points this season, improving their record to 46-15-8.
Washington is now tied with the Pittsburgh Penguins for most playoff appearances (16) since Ovechkin’s rookie season in 2005-06. Despite their consistent postseason presence, the Capitals have advanced beyond the second round only once during that span, when they captured the Stanley Cup in 2018.
The Capitals will look to improve on last year’s playoff performance after being swept by the New York Rangers in the first round.
The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs begin April 19.
