The Washington Capitals are back on top of the Metropolitan Division.

The Caps clinched first place in the division Tuesday with the Carolina Hurricanes' regulation loss to the Buffalo Sabres. They're the first team in the league to secure a division title this season.

It's Washington's first time taking the divisional crown since winning five in a row from 2016-20.

The Capitals, who sit first in the Eastern Conference and second in the NHL, have smashed the majority of preseason expectations that viewed them as a fringe playoff team. However, they've received career years from multiple players, including Dylan Strome, Aliaksei Protas, Tom Wilson, Connor McMichael, and Jakob Chychrun.