BOSTON | It’s not like last year, when the Washington Capitals had a few days to sit there and wonder whom they’d face in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The wait is less than 24 hours now after the Caps knocked off the defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins, and it’s certainly not the hardest part.
“You just look around and Vancouver’s out, Pittsburgh’s out some of the great teams and so it’s an honor to move on and we’ll figure out who we’re playing but they deserve a couple of days to catch their breath and let the fans celebrate back in D.C.,” owner Ted Leonsis said.
The Caps’ second-round opponent will be determined Thursday night in two other Game 7s: the Ottawa Senators at the New York Rangers at 7 and the New Jersey Devils at the Florida Panthers at 8:30. Washington could face the Rangers, Devils or Philadelphia Flyers.
Here’s how:
It’s the Rangers if …
New York beats Ottawa. Simple as that. The Caps have beaten the Rangers in two of the past three playoffs and went 2-2 against them this regular season. The Flyers would face either the Panthers or Devils.
It’s the Devils if …
Ottawa beats New York and New Jersey beats Florida. At that point the Flyers would face the Senators and the Caps would be bound for Newark this weekend.
It’s the Flyers if …
Ottawa beats New York and Florida beats New Jersey. The I-95 series would be the first playoff meeting between the Caps and Flyers since the first round in 2008. The Senators would face the Panthers.
