NHL Tuesday: Capitals, Islanders, Blues, and Sharks clinch

WASHINGTON -- Just over two months ago, what transpired Tuesday evening at Verizon Center would have seemed to be something out of a Hollywood movie.

The Washington Capitals -- who at one point were just 2-8-1 and in dead last in the NHL standings, having just an estimated 2.16 percent chance of making the playoffs per Sports Club Stats -- wrapped up the final Southeast Division title with a 5-3 win over the Winnipeg Jets.

So what do you think folks -- suspension? Fine? Nothing? This isn’t exactly a “hit” in the way we usually see them, since Brown barely moves, but he still manages to bring his elbow solidly into Pominville’s face. Brown has a reputation for being a physical player who occasionally lives on the edge, but he has never been suspended or fined by the league.

For the Wild perspective on this hit, you can read their take over at Hockey Wilderness.

The Capitals won the game 5-3 to cement their spot in the playoffs and reduce the Jets’ odds of making it into the postseason to just a sliver.

Washington had an incredible run over the past two months, after an ice-cold start dropped them out of the playoff picture and had people around the league questioning whether Alexander Ovechkin and the Capitals were all washed up. Now Ovechkin has taken over the league lead in goals, people are seriously considering him for the league’s MVP trophy, and the Capitals are guaranteed home ice in the first round of the post season.

And the Penguins broadcasters seemed pretty happy with that.

That’s Paul Steigerwald and Bob Errey of Root Sports giving Ott the business. Why exactly do they dislike him so much? I’m not sure -- but there’s an excellent chance that he may have tried to lick them once.

2. Will either New York team clinch a playoff spot?

• The Bruins’ luck with goalies

Winnipeg sits one point off the division lead, as well as a playoff spot. However, a regulation win by Washington would clinch the Southeast in their favor and all but end the Jets playoff hopes. Of the five teams still vying for a playoff spot, Winnipeg is the only one who has played 46 games. A regulation loss against Washington would only allow the team to collect a maximum of 53 points this season.

Obviously, with both New York teams having two games left following action on Tuesday and Ottawa having three games remaining on its schedule, Winnipeg’s opponents will have more opportunities to collect points.