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NHL Playoff Picture: Capitals Now Control Their Own Destiny In The East

The Capitals and Flyers have been jostling for playoff position for the last few weeks now, with the top overall seed in the Eastern Conference on the line. After last night's results, the Capitals have the upper hand in that battle.

The Caps beat the Maple Leafs 3-2 in a shootout last night, while the Flyers fell to the Senators 5-2 in Ottawa. The Caps now hold a 105-103 lead in the Eastern Conference. Both teams have two games left, so the Capitals control their own destiny in the Conference. If they win out, the top seed is theirs.

They have an advantage over the Flyers in this race because the Caps' last two games come against the Florida Panthers, the worst team in the Eastern Conference. The Flyers will be the Islanders and the Sabres. Neither of those teams are exactly world-beaters, but they should put up a little bit tougher of a fight than the Panthers.

For more on the Capitals, check out Japers' Rink.