Through 19 games of the 2025-26 season, the Washington Capitals are not where a lot of people expected them to be. They are 9-8-2 heading into Wednesday's game at home against the struggling Edmonton Oilers and two points on the outside looking in on an Eastern Conference playoff spot.
That may not seem like a big deal in November, but we are eight days away from the American Thanksgiving, where teams and their playoff chances are broken down. In or right around a playoff berth is where teams want to be on the last Thursday in November.
There are a number of factors as to why Washington is where they are, but ESPN shed some light on all 32 teams and their playoff chances.