Washington Capitals’ playoff hopes are slipping away – what’s next?

Following an embarrassing loss, many are wondering what the future holds for a franchise that has been in the postseason picture for the better part of two decades.

The Washington Capitals were slapped around by the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night, losing 8-3, bumping the team down to 10th in the Eastern Conference. Their second loss in three games shows the team with some aging stars might not have what it takes to make it back to the playoffs.

It makes many wonder what general manager Brian MacLellan will do heading into the trade deadline next Friday. The Capitals had been playing well earlier in the month, making it look like they could make a late push, but the loss to the Red Wings, paired with a win by the Philadelphia Flyers, has brought the doubts back.

As of Wednesday, Washington is fifth in the Metropolitan Division, six points back of the Philadelphia Flyers for third, and six behind the Tampa Bay Lightning for the last Wild Card spot in the conference.

On Wednesday’s edition of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Frank Seravalli and Tyler Yaremchuk give their thoughts on what the Capitals’ struggles throughout this season means for the future of the team.

Frank Seravalli: The math, I know that they have games in hand, but the math is still pretty daunting. The Flyers win again [on Tuesday], [Washington’s] six points back with two games in hand over the Flyers. That’s really the team they’re chasing. I guess you can add in the Lightning, too.

The math gets fuzzy for a Caps team that has been really trying to make a push heading into this deadline so that Brian MacLellan is not a seller at the deadline, but they’ve got some interesting pieces…they’ve got pieces to move if they’re not an authentic playoff team. I haven’t considered the Caps in that category all year long.

You can watch the full segment, and the entire episode here…