The Washington Capitals didn't even have to play Friday to clinch the top seed in the Eastern Conference for the upcoming Stanley Cup Playoffs, but they will have a chance to end the regular season on a high note themselves against the Florida Panthers Saturday in Sunrise.
With the Philadelphia Flyers losing in overtime to the Buffalo Sabres Friday, they were mathematically eliminated from earning the top seed. For the second straight season, the Caps earned the top seed in the conference. Their opponent will be decided Saturday; either the New York Rangers or Carolina Hurricanes will finish eighth and depending on the outcome of their respective games, the Caps will know who they will face in the quarterfinals. A New York regulation loss to the New Jersey Devils or a Carolina win over the Tampa Bay Lightning will eliminate the Rangers.
Head coach Bruce Boudreau was mum in regards to what the lineup would look like Saturday, but Mike Green should return to the lineup for the first time since February 25.
The Panthers lost to the Lightning Friday, so if the Cps defeat them Saturday, they will end the season without a win since March 17.