The Washington Capitals have won eight of their last nine games. Will they be able to maintain their run of form for the final three games of the season? The Caps sit on the edge of the playoffs, though they are on the outside looking in. Their three home games this week should give fans some of the more thrilling moments in recent seasons. What’s more, there’s plenty of other regional sports action on the table this week. Feel free to leave your own suggestions in the comments.

TUESDAY
For the Caps to make the playoffs, their best chance might be to assume leadership of the Southeast Divsion. By securing an automatic bid as division leaders, the Caps would get slotted into the third seed. Standing in their way are the Carolina Hurricanes. An outright win tonight would force the two teams into a tie for the division lead. Carolina holds the tie breaker, so the Caps would need them to drop a point or two in their final two games. Tickets are still available. Get them here. 7 p.m., CSN.

D.C. United has never won in Mexico. If they want to move past Pachuca to reach the CONCACAF Champions Cup final, they’ll do well to forget their past performances. Apart from history, the elevation in Hidalgo (7,900 feet) promises to be another factor adverse to United’s success. Regardless, United’s matches against Mexican teams in recent years have produced some entertaining, contentious soccer. 10 p.m., FSC.

WEDNESDAY
Will the Washington Nationals make their last inning heroics a habit? They might have to again Wednesday night in Philadelphia: the Phillies will be starting Cole Hamels, one of the bright young pitchers in the game. The Nats would do well to take Nick Johnson’s lead and work the count; their best hope will be to raise Hamels’ pitch count and expose the soft underbelly of the Phils’ bullpen. 7 p.m., MASN.

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