Predicting how the Capitals finish the 2022-23 season

We have just nine games remaining in the Washington Capitals season. Will they make the playoffs or will they have to build up this roster some more in the summer?

You’ve came to the right place because right now we’re going to predict how the Capitals finish the season.

Before we begin this exercise, let’s break down where the Caps stand right now. They are 34-31-8 with 76 points and fourth place in the Eastern Conference Wild Card.

They are three games behind the third place Florida Panthers, who eliminated them last season. They are four points behind the Pittsburgh Penguins, who occupy the second and final wild card playoff spot. Big game tonight!

Alright now let’s break down each game and predict each result:

March 25 at Pittsburgh Penguins W

March 29 vs. New York Islanders W

March 30 at Tampa Bay Lightning L(OT)

April 2 vs. New York Rangers W

April 6 vs. Montreal Canadiens W

April 8 vs. Florida Panthers L

April 10 vs. New York Islanders L(OT)

April 11 at Boston Bruins W

April 13 vs. New Jersey Devils W

Doing the math, I predict the Capitals will finish these next nine games with a 6-1-2 record. That would put them at 40-32-10 with 90 points. That would but close but no cigar. An OK season but not enough to make the big dance.

I don’t think the Pittsburgh Penguins make the playoffs either. I think they cool off starting with a loss Saturday night to the Caps. This will be the first time since 2006 we won’t have Alex Ovechkin or Sidney Crosby in the playoffs.

The Caps will likely finish in that third or fourth wild card spot which will be just on the outside looking in. The defense looks set as does the goaltending which is the good news. This summer the team will look to add a top six winger.