Two Weeks to Go

Two weeks from today, the Capitals will finally know their first-round playoff opponent, and get set to try to win the team's first postseason series since the Stanley Cup run of 1998.

With Boston beating Philadelphia Sunday, the Caps now are seven points behind the Bruins with six games left to play, meaning the only things to wrap up is the Southeast Division title with five points down the stretch, and also trying to hold off New Jersey for the second seed in the Eastern Conference.

While Washington has been secure in its playoff future for a while, landing the second seed could do a lot to help generate a long playoff run due to the teams that likely will finish in the lower seeds in the conference.

A third seed likely means a date with the Flyers, Hurricanes and Penguins, a trio of teams that have given the Capitals trouble in recent years.

Philadelphia, currently in the fourth seed but only two points ahead of sixth-place Pittsburgh, knocked the Caps out in last year's playoffs, and tends to draw the Capitals into a more physical game and crashes the net to try and take advantage of Washington's less-than-physical blueline.

Carolina hasn't been in the playoffs since winning the Cup in 2006, but they do have Cam Ward playing well, which was enough to get the 'Canes a run to the title that spring. The 'Canes have also given the Caps fits at times this season, going 3-2-1 against Washington, including a 2-1-0 mark in Raleigh. No team has been hotter than the 'Canes lately, and while they likely won't be able to catch Washington for the Southeast crown, they certainly will be looking to exact some revenge from last year's Capitals rally.

Although Washington went 3-1-0 against the Pens this year, Pittsburgh has been much better since their trade deadline deals that brought Bill Guerin to the Steel City.

If the Capitals finish second, they likely will draw the Rangers or the Canadiens, two teams that aren't quite as formidable matchups for Washington, and two teams the Caps have had some success against.

So, as the Capitals have a couple of days off before returning to action Wednesday against the Islanders, they will look to finish strong and earn a favorable first-round matchup and how the Devils fare tonight against the Rangers.