Alexander Ovechkin has raised the NHL’s record for goals by a left wing from sixty-three to sixty-five. Incidentally, Ovechkin’s sixty-fifth goal of this season was a crucial game-winner–and his second key goal of the night–in the game that put the Capitals in playoff position for the first time in months.

Although the Caps opened the season tied with Ottawa for first place in the league, the team quickly fell off due to an ineffective combination of offensive personnel and a defensive coach. By Thanksgiving, they were the last place team in the East, and at New Years they were still in fourteenth place. After last night, the Caps moved into possession of eighth place, passing the star-laden Flyers.

The Flyers, whom we predicted would struggle down the stretch, still have two difficult games left in New Jersey and Pittsburgh. The Capitals, meanwhile, will host the Florida Panthers tomorrow night. If Washington can beat Florida, the Flyers would have to win both of their remaining games to pass Washington.

Of course, if Washington beats Florida, they also have a chance to stay in the playoffs ahead of Carolina, Boston or even Ottawa. The Senators’ last game is against Boston, and a regulation win for either team will give the Caps a chance to squeak into the postseason.

This isn’t just about whether or not the Caps get to play a couple games in the playoffs, though. In their last ten games, Washington is 9-1, making them the hottest team in the East. Christobal Huet has won his last eight starts, making him the hottest goalie the Caps have had since the eighties. We remind you that in 1998 the Caps made it to the Stanley Cup Finals on the strength of a great goalie named Olaf Kolzig. Kolzig is still in town as one of the league’s best backups. This is a team built to go deep.