Capitals' Tilt With Red Wings Has Biggest Implications Yet; Playoff Odds & How Each Result Will Impact D.C.'s Chances

The Washington Capitals have been in a handful of "biggest games of the year" down this final stretch, but Tuesday's game against the Detroit Red Wings holds the biggest statistical implications yet.

This game holds a 33 percentage point swing for Washington and a 40 percentage point swing for Detroit, per MoneyPuck , as both teams continue the playoff race and look to reclaim the second Wild Card spot amid respective struggles.

The Capitals are in the throes of a six-game losing streak, where they've secured just two of 12 possible points. There are only five games left in the regular season, meaning the maximum point total for D.C. is 93 points, which could be enough to secure a playoff spot if the out-of-town scoreboard provides some help.

Here are what the latest playoff odds and implications look like for Tuesday's showdown in Motor City.

Related: 'Recipe For Disaster': What's Behind The Capitals' Six-Game Losing Streak During Huge Playoff Push & Their Plan To Bust Out

If The Capitals Beat The Red Wings In Regulation Or Overtime

Beating Detroit in regulation would be the best result for Washington. The team would jump back into a playoff spot, and the odds of qualifying for the postseason would go up by 18.8 percent, per MoneyPuck. The chances of finishing the year in the second Wild Card spot would also go up by 9.6 percent, and the odds of finishing third would increase by 9.1 percent.

Not only that, but the odds would also get better for a deeper playoff run with a regulation win, with the probability of reaching the second round going up to 4.7 percent and advancing to the Conference Finals being at .7 percent.

As for an overtime win, where Detroit would still get a point, the Capitals will still see the odds swing in their favor. Their playoff chances would increase to 36 percent, up 11.8 percent from what the odds sere before the game, while the chances of finishing in WC2 go up 4.6 percent and third in the Metropolitan Division go up by 7.1 percent.

If The Capitals Lose To The Red Wings In Regulation Or Overtime

Losing in regulation would spell disaster for Washington's playoff hopes. The Capitals would see their odds for making the playoffs nosedive, as the team would go down 14.5 percent and have just a 9.7 percent chance of qualifying through the final four games of the season. Failing to secure a point would also have the team at a 4.2 percent chance of making the second Wild Card spot (decrease by 7 percent) and a 5.5 percent chance of securing third in the Metro (decrease by 7.6 percent).

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An overtime loss and point would be helpful, but it would still put the team in a tough spot on the odds front. Washington's playoff hopes would dwindle to 18.9 percent (5.3 percent decrease), while there would only be a 7.9 percent chance of clinching Wild Card 2 and a 10.9 percent chance of claiming third in the division.

All the while, the Red Wings' odds would increase by 15.4 percent if they win in regulation and 12.2 percent if they win in overtime.

Puck drop for the biggest game yet is at 7 p.m. at Little Caesar's Arena.