For the third year in a row, the Capitals are the NHL's Metropolitan Division champions.
Washington clinched the title Sunday night with a 3-1 victory over the Penguins, earning their 11th 100-point season in club history.
The Capitals have won their third consecutive Metropolitan Division and have recorded their fourth consecutive season with at least 100 points. That’s the first time in franchise history Washington has recorded four consecutive seasons with at least 100 points.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) April 2, 2018
Sunday's game was already going to be a special one for the Caps prior to the win, as Alex Ovechkin played in his 1,000th NHL game. Washington's captain became the first player in franchise history to play in 1,000 career games and the first from the 2004 NHL Draft class to reach the milestone.
The first in franchise history to play 1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ games with the Washington Capitals is the man we call Alexander the #Gr8.
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 1, 2018
More on the Milestone: https://t.co/cQsOglncMs#OV1000 #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/lbJx0oN839
The Caps had plenty to celebrate but tensions were running high between the Metro's top two teams Sunday night and the game had no shortage of drama.
Police were nearly called on Philipp Grubauer after Washington's goaltender robbed Sidney Crosby of a goal during a 5-on-3 power play.
We don’t usually see crimes like this against Sidney Crosby but tonight Philipp Grubauer reminded us the #Penguins captain is human after all.
— Sporting News Canada (@sportingnewsca) April 2, 2018
pic.twitter.com/PeiucfqM3x
Up next were Evgeni Malkin and T.J. Oshie. The two had a heated exchange after colliding on the ice and Malkin tossed Oshie's stick into the Caps' bench, initiating an immediate fight.
Evgeni Malkin, T.J. Oshie exchange some words. pic.twitter.com/8b5FnVfmyY
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) April 2, 2018
Evgeni Malkin wants to fight all the Washington Capitals after finding out they put pineapple on their pizzas. Wow. pic.twitter.com/R6qvKJytmU
— Faizal Khamisa (@SNFaizalKhamisa) April 2, 2018
Before he was escorted to the locker room, Malkin exchanged words with Evgeny Kuznetsov as well.
Malkin on Kuznetsov: "He spoke Russian when I fought Oshie. I don't know why he's speaking to me in Russian. If you're sitting on the bench, you sit on the bench. You're not on the ice." -SK
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) April 2, 2018
The Penguins are now five points behind the Caps as the second-ranked Metro team. Washington and Pittsburgh are the only teams in the division to clinch a playoff berth so far, as Columbus, Philadelphia and New Jersey have one week left to battle for the third spot.