The Washington Capitals won the 2007-08 NHL Southeast division race on 94 points, 2 points ahead of the Carolina Hurricanes. It came down to the final days: the Washington Capitals did not lead for good until April 4, 2008.
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Southeast standings, 2007-08
Team
W
L
OT
PTS
L10
Streak
Washington Capitals (WSH)
43
31
8
94
9-1-0
W7
Carolina Hurricanes (CAR)
43
33
6
92
5-4-1
L1
Florida Panthers (FLA)
38
35
9
85
5-4-1
L1
Atlanta Thrashers (ATL)
34
40
8
76
3-7-0
W1
Tampa Bay Lightning (TBL)
31
42
9
71
2-7-1
L4
Final standings.
Turning points
The lead changed hands 14 times.
The Washington Capitals trailed by as many as 14 points on November 17, 2007.
The Washington Capitals took first place for good on April 4, 2008.
The Washington Capitals won 7 games in a row from March 21, 2008 to April 5, 2008, the longest run of the race.
The Carolina Hurricanes led by 8 points as late as December 3, 2007.
The Washington Capitals went 13-5-1 from December 25, 2007 to February 6, 2008, turning a deficit of 11 points into a lead of 1 point.
The top two ended the day within two points of each other on 43 of the 150 days played.
Five teams held first place.
The Washington Capitals spent 19 of the season's 191 charted days in first place.