List of Washington Capitals seasons

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Banners at the Capital One Arena showing the Capitals' retired numbers Washington Capitals retired numbers red.jpg
Banners at the Capital One Arena showing the Capitals' retired numbers

The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. The team is a member of the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Capitals played at the Capital Centre from their inaugural season in 1974 to 1997, when they moved to the MCI Center, now known as the Capital One Arena. In 49 completed seasons, the Capitals have qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs 33 times, making two Stanley Cup Finals appearances during the 1997–98 and 2017–18 seasons, winning the latter.

Contents

The Capitals were founded in 1974 as an expansion team in the Prince of Wales Conference. The team had an 8–67–5 record and lost 37 straight road games in their inaugural season. [1] The Capitals made their first playoffs in the 1982–83 season and qualified for the playoffs for the following 13 seasons in a row. The Capitals won the Eastern Conference during their 1997–98 season but were swept by the Detroit Red Wings in the 1998 Stanley Cup Finals. [2]

After reaching the Finals, the Capitals were assigned to the Southeast 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 three Presidents' Trophies in the 2009–10, 2015–16 and 2016–17 seasons, [3] before finally winning their first Stanley Cup in the 2017–18 season after 42 seasons (not counting the cancelled 2004–05 season).

Table key

Alex Ovechkin raising the Stanley Cup during the Capitals' 2018 championship ceremony on the National Mall Alex Ovechkin with Stanley Cup.jpg
Alex Ovechkin raising the Stanley Cup during the Capitals' 2018 championship ceremony on the National Mall
Key of colors and symbols
Color/symbolExplanation
† Stanley Cup champions
‡ Conference champions
↑ Division champions
# Led league in points
Key of terms and abbreviations
Term or abbreviationDefinition
FinishFinal position in division or league standings
GPNumber of games played
WNumber of wins
LNumber of losses
TNumber of ties
OTNumber of losses in overtime (since the 1999–2000 season)
PtsNumber of points
GFGoals for (goals scored by the Capitals)
GAGoals against (goals scored by the Capitals' opponents)
—Does not apply

Year by year

Year by year listing of all seasons played by the Washington Capitals
NHL season Capitals season Conference Division Regular season [4] [5] Postseason
FinishGPWLT OT Pts GFGAGPWLOTGFGAResult
1974–75 1974–75 Wales Norris 5th808675—21181446——————Did not qualify
1975–76 1975–76 WalesNorris5th80115910—32224394——————Did not qualify
1976–77 1976–77 WalesNorris4th80244214—62221307——————Did not qualify
1977–78 1977–78 WalesNorris5th80174914—48195321——————Did not qualify
1978–79 1978–79 WalesNorris4th80244115—63273338——————Did not qualify
1979–80 1979–80 Campbell Patrick 5th80274013—67261293——————Did not qualify
1980–81 1980–81 CampbellPatrick5th80263618—70286317——————Did not qualify
1981–82 1981–82 WalesPatrick5th80264113—65319338——————Did not qualify
1982–83 1982–83 WalesPatrick3rd80392516—94306283413—1119Lost division semifinals to New York Islanders, 1–3 [6]
1983–84 1983–84 WalesPatrick2nd8048275—101308226844—2825Won division semifinals vs. Philadelphia Flyers, 3–0
Lost division finals to New York Islanders, 1–4 [7]
1984–85 1984–85 WalesPatrick2nd8046259—101322240523—1214Lost division semifinals to New York Islanders, 2–3 [8]
1985–86 1985–86 WalesPatrick2nd8050237—107315272954—3624Won division semifinals vs. New York Islanders, 3–0
Lost division finals to New York Rangers, 2–4 [9]
1986–87 1986–87 WalesPatrick2nd80383210—86285278734—1919Lost division semifinals to New York Islanders, 3–4 [10]
1987–88 1987–88 WalesPatrick2nd8038339—852812491477—5450Won division semifinals vs. Philadelphia Flyers, 4–3
Lost division finals to New Jersey Devils, 3–4 [11]
1988–89 1988–89 WalesPatrick↑1st80412910—92305259624—1825Lost division semifinals to Philadelphia Flyers, 2–4 [12]
1989–90 1989–90 WalesPatrick3rd8036386—782842751587—4948Won division semifinals vs. New Jersey Devils, 4–2
Won division finals vs. New York Rangers, 4–1
Lost conference finals to Boston Bruins, 0–4 [13]
1990–91 1990–91 WalesPatrick3rd8037367—812582581156—2935Won division semifinals vs. New York Rangers, 4–2
Lost division finals to Pittsburgh Penguins, 1–4 [14]
1991–92 1991–92 WalesPatrick2nd8045278—98330275734—2725Lost division semifinals to Pittsburgh Penguins, 3–4 [15]
1992–93 1992–93 [a] WalesPatrick2nd8443347—93325286624—1523Lost division semifinals to New York Islanders, 2–4 [16]
1993–94 1993–94 Eastern [b] Atlantic 3rd84393510—882772631156—3232Won conference quarterfinals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins, 4–2
Lost conference semifinals to New York Rangers, 1–4 [17]
1994–95 1994–95 [c] EasternAtlantic2nd4822188—52136120734—1017Lost conference quarterfinals to Pittsburgh Penguins, 3–4 [18]
1995–96 1995–96 EasternAtlantic4th82393211—89234204624—1721Lost conference quarterfinals to Pittsburgh Penguins, 2–4 [19]
1996–97 1996–97 EasternAtlantic5th8233409—75214231——————Did not qualify
1997–98 1997–98 Eastern‡Atlantic3rd82403012—9221920221129—5344Won conference quarterfinals vs. Boston Bruins, 4–2
Won conference semifinals vs. Ottawa Senators, 4–1
Won conference finals vs. Buffalo Sabres, 4–2
Lost Stanley Cup Finals to Detroit Red Wings, 0–4 [20]
1998–99 1998–99 Eastern Southeast [g] 3rd8231456—68200218——————Did not qualify
1999–2000 1999–2000 EasternSoutheast↑1st824424122 [d] 102227194514—615Lost conference quarterfinals to Pittsburgh Penguins, 1–4 [21]
2000–01 2000–01 EasternSoutheast↑1st82412710496233211624—1014Lost conference quarterfinals to Pittsburgh Penguins, 2–4 [22]
2001–02 2001–02 EasternSoutheast2nd82363311285228240——————Did not qualify
2002–03 2002–03 EasternSoutheast2nd8239298692224220624—1514Lost conference quarterfinals to Tampa Bay Lightning, 2–4 [23]
2003–04 2003–04 EasternSoutheast5th82234610359186253——————Did not qualify
2004–05 [e] 2004–05 EasternSoutheastSeason cancelled due to 2004–05 NHL lockout
2005–06 2005–06 EasternSoutheast5th822941— [f] 1270237306——————Did not qualify
2006–07 2006–07 EasternSoutheast5th822840—1470235286——————Did not qualify
2007–08 2007–08 EasternSoutheast↑1st824331—894242231734—2023Lost conference quarterfinals to Philadelphia Flyers, 3–4 [24]
2008–09 2008–09 EasternSoutheast↑1st825024—81082722451477—4138Won conference quarterfinals vs. New York Rangers, 4–3
Lost conference semifinals to Pittsburgh Penguins, 3–4 [25]
2009–10 2009–10 EasternSoutheast↑1st825415—13121#318233734—2220Lost conference quarterfinals to Montreal Canadiens, 3–4 [26]
2010–11 2010–11 EasternSoutheast↑1st824823—11107224197945—2324Won conference quarterfinals vs. New York Rangers, 4–1
Lost conference semifinals to Tampa Bay Lightning, 0–4 [27]
2011–12 2011–12 EasternSoutheast2nd824232—8922222301477—2830Won conference quarterfinals vs. Boston Bruins, 4–3
Lost conference semifinals to New York Rangers, 3–4 [28]
2012–13 [h] 2012–13 EasternSoutheast↑1st482718—357149130734—1315Lost conference quarterfinals to New York Rangers, 3–4 [29]
2013–14 2013–14 Eastern Metropolitan [i] 5th823830—1490235240——————Did not qualify
2014–15 2014–15 EasternMetropolitan2nd824526—111012422031477—2828Won first round vs. New York Islanders, 4–3
Lost second round to New York Rangers, 3–4 [30]
2015–16 2015–16 EasternMetropolitan↑1st825618—8120#2521931266—2922Won first round vs. Philadelphia Flyers, 4–2
Lost second round to Pittsburgh Penguins, 2–4 [31]
2016–17 2016–17 EasternMetropolitan↑1st825519—8118#2631821376—3634Won first round vs. Toronto Maple Leafs, 4–2
Lost second round to Pittsburgh Penguins, 3–4
2017–18 † 2017–18 Eastern‡Metropolitan↑1st824926—710525923924168—8661Won first round vs. Columbus Blue Jackets, 4–2
Won second round vs. Pittsburgh Penguins, 4–2
Won conference finals vs. Tampa Bay Lightning, 4–3
Won Stanley Cup Finals vs. Vegas Golden Knights, 4–1
2018–19 2018–19 EasternMetropolitan↑1st824826—8104278249734—2021Lost first round to Carolina Hurricanes, 3–4
2019–20 2019–20 EasternMetropolitan↑1st694120—89024021582511324Finished third in seeding round-robin (1–1–1)
Lost first round to New York Islanders, 1–4
2020–21 2020–21 — East 2nd563615—577191163514—1016Lost first round to Boston Bruins, 1–4
2021–22 2021–22 EasternMetropolitan4th824426—12100275245624—1920Lost first round to Florida Panthers, 2–4
2022–23 2022–23 EasternMetropolitan6th823537—1080255265——————Did not qualify
2023–24 2023–24 EasternMetropolitan4th824031—1191220257404—715Lost first round to New York Rangers, 0–4
Totals [32] [33] 3,8791,8191,5613031964,13712,26612,320305140164186287233 playoff appearances

Notes

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References

  1. ↑ Page 2 Staff. "Worst Pro Teams of All-time". ESPN . Retrieved June 21, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  2. ↑ Montgomery, David (June 17, 1998). "No Shame in Shutout, Fans Say". The Washington Post . Retrieved June 14, 2010.
  3. ↑ "Capitals clinch NHL's best record". ESPN. April 5, 2010. Retrieved June 21, 2010.
  4. ↑ "Washington Capitals Statistics and History". The Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Washington Capitals Franchise Index". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
  6. ↑ "1983 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  7. ↑ "1984 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  8. ↑ "1985 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  9. ↑ "1986 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  10. ↑ "1987 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  11. ↑ "1988 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  12. ↑ "1989 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  13. ↑ "1990 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  14. ↑ "1991 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  15. ↑ "1992 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  16. ↑ "1993 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  17. ↑ "1994 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  18. ↑ "1995 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  19. ↑ "1996 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  20. ↑ "1998 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  21. ↑ "2000 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  22. ↑ "2001 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  23. ↑ "2003 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  24. ↑ "2008 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  25. ↑ "2009 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  26. ↑ "2010 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  27. ↑ "2011 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  28. ↑ "2012 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  29. ↑ "2013 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  30. ↑ "2015 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  31. ↑ "2016 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved May 11, 2016.
  32. ↑ Total statistics of Washington Capitals in regular season 1974/75 - 2022/23 | NHL.com
  33. ↑ Total statistics of Washington Capitals in Playoff 1974/75 - 2021/22 | NHL.com
  34. ↑ Morrison, Scott (December 1, 2007). "84 game schedule a lock". SLAM! Sports. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved June 14, 2010.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  35. ↑ Lapointe, Joe (April 1, 1993). "Hockey; N.H.L. Redraws Map In Realignment Plan". The New York Times . Retrieved June 14, 2010.
  36. ↑ Anderson, Dave (April 15, 1993). "Sports of The Times; Rangers Must Search For a 'Riley'". The New York Times . Retrieved July 1, 2010.
  37. ↑ Swift, E. M. (January 23, 1995). "Drop Those Pucks!". Sports Illustrated . Archived from the original on May 17, 2009. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
  38. ↑ Lapointe, Joe (September 30, 1999). "Hockey: Preview '99–'00; Overtime Is Now Five Minutes in Hockey Heaven". The New York Times. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
  39. ↑ "Lockout over salary cap shuts down NHL". ESPN. Associated Press. February 16, 2005. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
  40. ↑ "Shootouts are fan-friendly". The Washington Times . October 19, 2005. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
  41. ↑ "N.H.L. Names 4 Cities For Its New Franchises". The New York Times . June 18, 1997. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
  42. ↑ "NHL Announces 2012-13 Season Schedule". Lightning.nhl.com. Tampa Bay Lightning. January 12, 2013. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
  43. ↑ "NHL slate, division names revealed". ESPN.com news services. ESPN. July 20, 2013. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  44. ↑ "NHL to pause season due to coronavirus". NHL.com. March 12, 2020. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
  45. ↑ Knoll, Andrew (December 20, 2020). "N.H.L. and Players' Union Reach Framework for 2020-21 Season". The New York Times. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
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