Washington will host Game 1, Game 2 and if necessary, Game 5 and Game 7 in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals. The Capitals finished the 2017-18 season with a record of 49-26-7 and first place in the Metropolitan Division, their third-straight division title. No other team within the Metropolitan Division has won the division more than once since its inception in 2013. Additionally, Washington finished the campaign with 105 points, their fourth straight season with at least 100 points. That's the first time in franchise history the Capitals have earned at least 100 points in four consecutive seasons and seventh time in the last 10 campaigns, tying the Chicago Blackhawks (7) for most 100-point seasons since 2008-09. The Capitals qualified for the playoffs for the 28th time in franchise history and the 10th time in the last 11 seasons.
Washington and Columbus met four times this season, with Washington posting a 3-1-0 record. This marks the first time the Capitals and Blue Jackets will meet in the postseason. Washington holds a 22-8-1-4 record all-time against Columbus. The Capitals have earned a point in 12 of their last 14 games (10-2-2) and 21 of their last 26 games (17-5-4) against the Blue Jackets.
The Capitals will hold an optional skate on Monday at 10:30 a.m. at Kettler Capitals Iceplex. Participating players will be available to the media in the Capitals locker room.
The following is the complete Capitals playoff schedule in the Washington/Baltimore area for the Eastern Conference quarterfinals against the Columbus Blue Jackets:
If Tampa Bay wins the Atlantic Division
Date Time (ET) #1 Washington vs. #4 Columbus
Thursday, April 12 7:30 p.m. Columbus at Washington
Sunday, April 15 7:30 p.m. Columbus at Washington
Tuesday, April 17 7:30 p.m. Washington at Columbus
Thursday, April 19 7:30 p.m. Washington at Columbus
\Saturday, April 21 TBD Columbus at Washington
\Monday, April 23 TBD Washington at Columbus
\Wednesday, April 25 TBD Columbus at Washington
If Boston wins the Atlantic Division
Date Time (ET) #1 Washington vs. #4 Columbus
Thursday, April 12 7:30 p.m. Columbus at Washington
Sunday, April 15 3 p.m. Columbus at Washington
Tuesday, April 17 7 p.m. Washington at Columbus
Thursday, April 19 7:30 p.m. Washington at Columbus
\Saturday, April 21 TBD Columbus at Washington
\Monday, April 23 TBD Washington at Columbus
\Wednesday, April 25 TBD Columbus at Washington
