TheWashington Capitals are a professionalice hockey team based inWashington, D.C. The team is a member of theMetropolitan Division of theEastern Conference of theNational Hockey League (NHL). The Capitals played at theCapital Centre from their inaugural season in 1974 to 1997, when they moved to the MCI Center, now known as theCapital One Arena. In 49 completed seasons, the Capitals have qualified for theStanley Cup playoffs 33 times, making twoStanley Cup Final appearances during the1997–98 and2017–18 seasons, winningthe latter.
The Capitals were founded in 1974 as an expansion team in thePrince of Wales Conference. The team had an 8–67–5 record and lost 37 straight road games in theirinaugural season.[1] The Capitals made their first playoffs in the1982–83 season and qualified for the playoffs for the following 13 seasons in a row. The Capitals won the Eastern Conference during their1997–98 season but were swept by theDetroit Red Wings in the1998 Stanley Cup Final.[2]
After reaching the Finals, the Capitals were assigned to theSoutheast Division, in which they remained in for 15 years, until an NHL division realignment brought them into the newly formed Metropolitan Division in 2013. Through these times, the Capitals won threePresidents' Trophies in the2009–10,2015–16 and2016–17 seasons,[3] before finally winning their firstStanley Cup in the2017–18 season after 42 seasons (not counting the cancelled2004–05 season).
| Color/symbol | Explanation |
|---|---|
| † | Stanley Cup champions |
| ‡ | Conference champions |
| ↑ | Division champions |
| # | Led league in points |
| Term or abbreviation | Definition |
|---|---|
| Finish | Final position in division or league standings |
| GP | Number of games played |
| W | Number of wins |
| L | Number of losses |
| T | Number of ties |
| OT | Number of losses in overtime (since the 1999–2000 season) |
| Pts | Number of points |
| GF | Goals for (goals scored by the Capitals) |
| GA | Goals against (goals scored by the Capitals' opponents) |
| — | Does not apply |
| NHL season | Capitals season | Conference | Division | Regular season[4][5] | Postseason | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finish | GP | W | L | T | OT | Pts | GF | GA | GP | W | L | OT | GF | GA | Result | |||||
| 1974–75 | 1974–75 | Wales | Norris | 5th | 80 | 8 | 67 | 5 | — | 21 | 181 | 446 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Did not qualify | |
| 1975–76 | 1975–76 | Wales | Norris | 5th | 80 | 11 | 59 | 10 | — | 32 | 224 | 394 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Did not qualify | |
| 1976–77 | 1976–77 | Wales | Norris | 4th | 80 | 24 | 42 | 14 | — | 62 | 221 | 307 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Did not qualify | |
| 1977–78 | 1977–78 | Wales | Norris | 5th | 80 | 17 | 49 | 14 | — | 48 | 195 | 321 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Did not qualify | |
| 1978–79 | 1978–79 | Wales | Norris | 4th | 80 | 24 | 41 | 15 | — | 63 | 273 | 338 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Did not qualify | |
| 1979–80 | 1979–80 | Campbell | Patrick | 5th | 80 | 27 | 40 | 13 | — | 67 | 261 | 293 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Did not qualify | |
| 1980–81 | 1980–81 | Campbell | Patrick | 5th | 80 | 26 | 36 | 18 | — | 70 | 286 | 317 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Did not qualify | |
| 1981–82 | 1981–82 | Wales | Patrick | 5th | 80 | 26 | 41 | 13 | — | 65 | 319 | 338 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Did not qualify | |
| 1982–83 | 1982–83 | Wales | Patrick | 3rd | 80 | 39 | 25 | 16 | — | 94 | 306 | 283 | 4 | 1 | 3 | — | 11 | 19 | Lostdivision semifinals toNew York Islanders, 1–3[6] | |
| 1983–84 | 1983–84 | Wales | Patrick | 2nd | 80 | 48 | 27 | 5 | — | 101 | 308 | 226 | 8 | 4 | 4 | — | 28 | 25 | Wondivision semifinals vs.Philadelphia Flyers, 3–0 Lost division finals to New York Islanders, 1–4[7] | |
| 1984–85 | 1984–85 | Wales | Patrick | 2nd | 80 | 46 | 25 | 9 | — | 101 | 322 | 240 | 5 | 2 | 3 | — | 12 | 14 | Lostdivision semifinals to New York Islanders, 2–3[8] | |
| 1985–86 | 1985–86 | Wales | Patrick | 2nd | 80 | 50 | 23 | 7 | — | 107 | 315 | 272 | 9 | 5 | 4 | — | 36 | 24 | Wondivision semifinals vs. New York Islanders, 3–0 Lost division finals toNew York Rangers, 2–4[9] | |
| 1986–87 | 1986–87 | Wales | Patrick | 2nd | 80 | 38 | 32 | 10 | — | 86 | 285 | 278 | 7 | 3 | 4 | — | 19 | 19 | Lostdivision semifinals to New York Islanders, 3–4[10] | |
| 1987–88 | 1987–88 | Wales | Patrick | 2nd | 80 | 38 | 33 | 9 | — | 85 | 281 | 249 | 14 | 7 | 7 | — | 54 | 50 | Wondivision semifinals vs. Philadelphia Flyers, 4–3 Lost division finals toNew Jersey Devils, 3–4[11] | |
| 1988–89 | 1988–89 | Wales | Patrick↑ | 1st | 80 | 41 | 29 | 10 | — | 92 | 305 | 259 | 6 | 2 | 4 | — | 18 | 25 | Lostdivision semifinals to Philadelphia Flyers, 2–4[12] | |
| 1989–90 | 1989–90 | Wales | Patrick | 3rd | 80 | 36 | 38 | 6 | — | 78 | 284 | 275 | 15 | 8 | 7 | — | 49 | 48 | Wondivision semifinals vs. New Jersey Devils, 4–2 Won division finals vs. New York Rangers, 4–1 Lost conference finals toBoston Bruins, 0–4[13] | |
| 1990–91 | 1990–91 | Wales | Patrick | 3rd | 80 | 37 | 36 | 7 | — | 81 | 258 | 258 | 11 | 5 | 6 | — | 29 | 35 | Wondivision semifinals vs. New York Rangers, 4–2 Lost division finals toPittsburgh Penguins, 1–4[14] | |
| 1991–92 | 1991–92 | Wales | Patrick | 2nd | 80 | 45 | 27 | 8 | — | 98 | 330 | 275 | 7 | 3 | 4 | — | 27 | 25 | Lostdivision semifinals to Pittsburgh Penguins, 3–4[15] | |
| 1992–93 | 1992–93[a] | Wales | Patrick | 2nd | 84 | 43 | 34 | 7 | — | 93 | 325 | 286 | 6 | 2 | 4 | — | 15 | 23 | Lostdivision semifinals to New York Islanders, 2–4[16] | |
| 1993–94 | 1993–94 | Eastern[b] | Atlantic | 3rd | 84 | 39 | 35 | 10 | — | 88 | 277 | 263 | 11 | 5 | 6 | — | 32 | 32 | Wonconference quarterfinals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins, 4–2 Lost conference semifinals to New York Rangers, 1–4[17] | |
| 1994–95 | 1994–95[c] | Eastern | Atlantic | 2nd | 48 | 22 | 18 | 8 | — | 52 | 136 | 120 | 7 | 3 | 4 | — | 10 | 17 | Lostconference quarterfinals to Pittsburgh Penguins, 3–4[18] | |
| 1995–96 | 1995–96 | Eastern | Atlantic | 4th | 82 | 39 | 32 | 11 | — | 89 | 234 | 204 | 6 | 2 | 4 | — | 17 | 21 | Lostconference quarterfinals to Pittsburgh Penguins, 2–4[19] | |
| 1996–97 | 1996–97 | Eastern | Atlantic | 5th | 82 | 33 | 40 | 9 | — | 75 | 214 | 231 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Did not qualify | |
| 1997–98 | 1997–98 | Eastern‡ | Atlantic | 3rd | 82 | 40 | 30 | 12 | — | 92 | 219 | 202 | 21 | 12 | 9 | — | 53 | 44 | Wonconference quarterfinals vs. Boston Bruins, 4–2 Won conference semifinals vs.Ottawa Senators, 4–1 Won conference finals vs.Buffalo Sabres, 4–2 LostStanley Cup Final toDetroit Red Wings, 0–4[20] | |
| 1998–99 | 1998–99 | Eastern | Southeast[g] | 3rd | 82 | 31 | 45 | 6 | — | 68 | 200 | 218 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Did not qualify | |
| 1999–2000 | 1999–2000 | Eastern | Southeast↑ | 1st | 82 | 44 | 24 | 12 | 2[d] | 102 | 227 | 194 | 5 | 1 | 4 | — | 6 | 15 | Lostconference quarterfinals to Pittsburgh Penguins, 1–4[21] | |
| 2000–01 | 2000–01 | Eastern | Southeast↑ | 1st | 82 | 41 | 27 | 10 | 4 | 96 | 233 | 211 | 6 | 2 | 4 | — | 10 | 14 | Lostconference quarterfinals to Pittsburgh Penguins, 2–4[22] | |
| 2001–02 | 2001–02 | Eastern | Southeast | 2nd | 82 | 36 | 33 | 11 | 2 | 85 | 228 | 240 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Did not qualify | |
| 2002–03 | 2002–03 | Eastern | Southeast | 2nd | 82 | 39 | 29 | 8 | 6 | 92 | 224 | 220 | 6 | 2 | 4 | — | 15 | 14 | Lostconference quarterfinals toTampa Bay Lightning, 2–4[23] | |
| 2003–04 | 2003–04 | Eastern | Southeast | 5th | 82 | 23 | 46 | 10 | 3 | 59 | 186 | 253 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Did not qualify | |
| 2004–05[e] | 2004–05 | Eastern | Southeast | Season cancelled due to2004–05 NHL lockout | ||||||||||||||||
| 2005–06 | 2005–06 | Eastern | Southeast | 5th | 82 | 29 | 41 | —[f] | 12 | 70 | 237 | 306 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Did not qualify | |
| 2006–07 | 2006–07 | Eastern | Southeast | 5th | 82 | 28 | 40 | — | 14 | 70 | 235 | 286 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Did not qualify | |
| 2007–08 | 2007–08 | Eastern | Southeast↑ | 1st | 82 | 43 | 31 | — | 8 | 94 | 242 | 231 | 7 | 3 | 4 | — | 20 | 23 | Lostconference quarterfinals to Philadelphia Flyers, 3–4[24] | |
| 2008–09 | 2008–09 | Eastern | Southeast↑ | 1st | 82 | 50 | 24 | — | 8 | 108 | 272 | 245 | 14 | 7 | 7 | — | 41 | 38 | Wonconference quarterfinals vs. New York Rangers, 4–3 Lost conference semifinals to Pittsburgh Penguins, 3–4[25] | |
| 2009–10 | 2009–10 | Eastern | Southeast↑ | 1st | 82 | 54 | 15 | — | 13 | 121# | 318 | 233 | 7 | 3 | 4 | — | 22 | 20 | Lostconference quarterfinals toMontreal Canadiens, 3–4[26] | |
| 2010–11 | 2010–11 | Eastern | Southeast↑ | 1st | 82 | 48 | 23 | — | 11 | 107 | 224 | 197 | 9 | 4 | 5 | — | 23 | 24 | Wonconference quarterfinals vs. New York Rangers, 4–1 Lost conference semifinals to Tampa Bay Lightning, 0–4[27] | |
| 2011–12 | 2011–12 | Eastern | Southeast | 2nd | 82 | 42 | 32 | — | 8 | 92 | 222 | 230 | 14 | 7 | 7 | — | 28 | 30 | Wonconference quarterfinals vs. Boston Bruins, 4–3 Lost conference semifinals to New York Rangers, 3–4[28] | |
| 2012–13[h] | 2012–13 | Eastern | Southeast↑ | 1st | 48 | 27 | 18 | — | 3 | 57 | 149 | 130 | 7 | 3 | 4 | — | 13 | 15 | Lostconference quarterfinals to New York Rangers, 3–4[29] | |
| 2013–14 | 2013–14 | Eastern | Metropolitan[i] | 5th | 82 | 38 | 30 | — | 14 | 90 | 235 | 240 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Did not qualify | |
| 2014–15 | 2014–15 | Eastern | Metropolitan | 2nd | 82 | 45 | 26 | — | 11 | 101 | 242 | 203 | 14 | 7 | 7 | — | 28 | 28 | Wonfirst round vs. New York Islanders, 4–3 Lost second round to New York Rangers, 3–4[30] | |
| 2015–16 | 2015–16 | Eastern | Metropolitan↑ | 1st | 82 | 56 | 18 | — | 8 | 120# | 252 | 193 | 12 | 6 | 6 | — | 29 | 22 | Wonfirst round vs. Philadelphia Flyers, 4–2 Lost second round to Pittsburgh Penguins, 2–4[31] | |
| 2016–17 | 2016–17 | Eastern | Metropolitan↑ | 1st | 82 | 55 | 19 | — | 8 | 118# | 263 | 182 | 13 | 7 | 6 | — | 36 | 34 | Wonfirst round vs. Toronto Maple Leafs, 4–2 Lost second round to Pittsburgh Penguins, 3–4 | |
| 2017–18† | 2017–18 | Eastern‡ | Metropolitan↑ | 1st | 82 | 49 | 26 | — | 7 | 105 | 259 | 239 | 24 | 16 | 8 | — | 86 | 61 | Wonfirst round vs.Columbus Blue Jackets, 4–2 Won second round vs. Pittsburgh Penguins, 4–2 Won conference finals vs.Tampa Bay Lightning, 4–3 WonStanley Cup Final vs.Vegas Golden Knights, 4–1 | |
| 2018–19 | 2018–19 | Eastern | Metropolitan↑ | 1st | 82 | 48 | 26 | — | 8 | 104 | 278 | 249 | 7 | 3 | 4 | — | 20 | 21 | Lostfirst round toCarolina Hurricanes, 3–4 | |
| 2019–20 | 2019–20 | Eastern | Metropolitan↑ | 1st | 69 | 41 | 20 | — | 8 | 90 | 240 | 215 | 8 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 13 | 24 | Finished third in seeding round-robin (1–1–1) Lostfirst round to New York Islanders, 1–4 | |
| 2020–21 | 2020–21 | — | East | 2nd | 56 | 36 | 15 | — | 5 | 77 | 191 | 163 | 5 | 1 | 4 | — | 10 | 16 | Lostfirst round to Boston Bruins, 1–4 | |
| 2021–22 | 2021–22 | Eastern | Metropolitan | 4th | 82 | 44 | 26 | — | 12 | 100 | 275 | 245 | 6 | 2 | 4 | — | 19 | 20 | Lostfirst round toFlorida Panthers, 2–4 | |
| 2022–23 | 2022–23 | Eastern | Metropolitan | 6th | 82 | 35 | 37 | — | 10 | 80 | 255 | 265 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Did not qualify | |
| 2023–24 | 2023–24 | Eastern | Metropolitan | 4th | 82 | 40 | 31 | — | 11 | 91 | 220 | 257 | 4 | 0 | 4 | — | 7 | 15 | Lostfirst round to New York Rangers, 0–4 | |
| 2024–25 | 2024–25 | Eastern | Metropolitan↑ | 1st | 82 | 51 | 22 | — | 9 | 111 | 288 | 232 | 10 | 5 | 5 | — | 25 | 27 | Wonfirst round vs. Montreal Canadiens, 4–1 Lost second round to Carolina Hurricanes, 1–4 | |
| Totals[32][33] | 3,961 | 1,870 | 1,583 | 303 | 205 | 4,248 | 12,554 | 12,552 | 315 | 145 | 169 | 1 | 887 | 899 | 34 playoff appearances | |||||
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
| |
| Franchise | |
| History | |
| Personnel |
|
| Arenas | |
| Rivalries | |
| Affiliates | |
| Media | |
| Culture and lore | |
