The Capitals left for Atlanta on Tuesday in first place in the Southeast Division. But there was no guarantee when the plane landed that would still be the case.
Such is life in the compact Southeast, where just two points separated four of the five teams entering play yesterday. Even last-place Tampa Bay is within seven points of a playoff spot. That will make for a roller coaster final 25 games for the Caps (27-25-5, 59 points), who start a critical three-game road trip against division foes beginning tonight vs. the Thrashers (27-27-4, 58 points).
“We’re playing three division teams now this week on the road and all three are playing better hockey,” said goaltender Olie Kolzig, whose team also plays at Florida on Friday and at Tampa on Saturday. “So it doesn’t get any easier and that’s just the way we’ve got to approach it.”
