Positioning For the Playoffs

Washington Capitals Hockey

What a difference a year makes. Last year the Capitals were fighting to make the playoffs, being forced to win virtually every game and needing everything to break right in order for them to make the playoffs. I was at the last game of the year against the Florida Panthers and it was exciting and nerve wrecking. This year barring a total collapse, the Capitals are in the playoffs, and it's just a matter of whether or not they wind up with a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd seed. Personally, I don't think that it means a whole lot in the playoffs whether you wind up with a 1st or 2nd seed other than bragging rights. However, statistics do show that the home team wins a larger percentage of the 7th games in a playoff series, so if a series gets that far, it is an advantage to be playing at home. Still, as last year's series between the Caps and Flyers shown, having the final game at your rink doesn't guarantee a win.