The Washington Capitals aren’t playing on Monday night, but their 2025-26 season will still hang in the balance.

All eyes will be on the Philadelphia Flyers as they host the Carolina Hurricanes in one of the last regular-season Metropolitan Division battles of the year. If the Flyers pick up two points against the Hurricanes, they will secure a playoff spot, eliminating both the Capitals and Columbus Blue Jackets from postseason contention.

Unfortunately, for those latter two teams, the Hurricanes appear to be treating the game as an opportunity to rest their top players rather than as one of two final dress rehearsals before the playoffs. Carolina will be sitting out three of their top four scorers, their top-scoring defenseman, and one of the league’s best shutdown players.

The Capitals will remain alive in the hunt for the third spot in the Metro if the Flyers lose in regulation or overtime/shootout. There are only a couple of scenarios that could see the Caps extend their season past Tuesday night.

Puck drop for Flyers-Hurricanes is scheduled for 7 pm. The game is not being televised nationally but will be available on ESPN+.

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Philadelphia Flyers

Carolina Hurricanes

Goalie matchup

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