List_of_Washington_Capitals_seasons
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 44 completed seasons, the Capitals have qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs 29 times, making two Stanley Cup Finals appearances during the 1997–98 and 2017–18 seasons, winning the latter.
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).
More information Color/symbol, Explanation ...
| Color/symbol | Explanation |
|---|---|
| † | Stanley Cup champions |
| ‡ | Conference champions |
| ↑ | Division champions |
| # | Led league in points |
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More information Term or abbreviation, Definition ...
| 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 |
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More information NHL season, Capitals season ...
| 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 | Lost Division semifinals to New York Islanders, 1–3[6] | |
| 1983–84 | 1983–84 | Wales | Patrick | 2nd | 80 | 48 | 27 | 5 | — | 101 | 308 | 226 | 8 | 4 | 4 | — | 28 | 25 | Won Division 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 | Lost Division 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 | Won Division semifinals vs. New York Islanders, 3–0 Lost Division finals to New York Rangers, 2–4[9] | |
| 1986–87 | 1986–87 | Wales | Patrick | 2nd | 80 | 38 | 32 | 10 | — | 86 | 285 | 278 | 7 | 3 | 4 | — | 19 | 19 | Lost Division 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 | Won Division semifinals vs. Philadelphia Flyers, 4–3 Lost Division finals to New Jersey Devils, 3–4[11] | |
| 1988–89 | 1988–89 | Wales | Patrick↑ | 1st | 80 | 41 | 29 | 10 | — | 92 | 305 | 259 | 6 | 2 | 4 | — | 18 | 25 | Lost Division 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 | Won 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 | Wales | Patrick | 3rd | 80 | 37 | 36 | 7 | — | 81 | 258 | 258 | 11 | 5 | 6 | — | 29 | 35 | Won Division semifinals vs. New York Rangers, 4–2 Lost Division finals to Pittsburgh Penguins, 1–4[14] | |
| 1991–92 | 1991–92 | Wales | Patrick | 2nd | 80 | 45 | 27 | 8 | — | 98 | 330 | 275 | 7 | 3 | 4 | — | 27 | 25 | Lost Division 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 | Lost Division 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 | Won conference 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 | Lost conference 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 | Lost conference 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 | Won 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] | 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 | Lost conference 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 | Lost conference 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 | Lost conference quarterfinals to Tampa 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 to 2004–05 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 | Lost conference 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 | Won conference 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 | Lost conference quarterfinals to Montreal Canadiens, 3–4[26] | |
| 2010–11 | 2010–11 | Eastern | Southeast↑ | 1st | 82 | 48 | 23 | — | 11 | 107 | 224 | 197 | 9 | 4 | 5 | — | 23 | 24 | Won conference 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 | Won conference 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 | Lost conference 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 | Won First 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 | Won First 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 | Won First 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 | Won 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 | Eastern | Metropolitan↑ | 1st | 82 | 48 | 26 | — | 8 | 104 | 278 | 249 | 7 | 3 | 4 | — | 20 | 21 | Lost First round to Carolina 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) Lost First 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 | Lost First 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 | Lost First round to Florida 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 | TBD | TBD | TBD | — | TBD | TBD | First round vs. New York Rangers | |
| Totals[32][33] | 3,879 | 1,819 | 1,561 | 303 | 196 | 4,137 | 12,266 | 12,320 | 301 | 140 | 160 | 1 | 855 | 857 | 33 playoff appearances | |||||
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- a In 1992, the NHL expanded the season to 84 games, and each team played two games at a neutral site. After the 1995 lockout, the neutral site games were eliminated, and the season was reduced to 82 games.[34]
- b The NHL realigned into Eastern and Western conferences prior to the 1993–94 season.[35] Washington was placed in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.[36]
- c The season was shortened to 48 games because of the 1994–95 NHL lockout.[37]
- d Beginning with the 1999–00 season, teams received one point for losing a regular season game in overtime.[38]
- e The season was canceled because of the 2004–05 NHL lockout.[39]
- f Before the 2005–06 season, the NHL instituted a penalty shootout for regular season games that remained tied after a five-minute overtime period, which prevented ties.[40]
- g The NHL added 4 expansion teams prior to the 1998–99 season and split the Eastern Conference into three divisions: Northeast, Atlantic, and Southeast. Washington was moved into the new Southeast division.[41]
- h The season was shortened to 48 games because of the 2012–13 NHL lockout.[42]
- i The NHL realigned prior to the 2013–14 season. Washington was placed in the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference.[43]
- j The 2019-20 NHL season was suspended on March 12, 2020, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The top 24 teams in the league qualified for the playoffs.[44]
- k The 2020–21 NHL season was shortened to 56 games because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[45]
- Page 2 Staff. "Worst Pro Teams of All-time". ESPN. Retrieved June 21, 2010.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - Montgomery, David (June 17, 1998). "No Shame in Shutout, Fans Say". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
- "Capitals clinch NHL's best record". ESPN. April 5, 2010. Retrieved June 21, 2010.
- "Washington Capitals Statistics and History". The Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
- "Washington Capitals Franchise Index". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
- "1983 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
- "1984 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
- "1985 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
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- "1989 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
- "1990 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
- "1991 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
- "1992 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
- "1993 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
- "1994 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
- "1995 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
- "1996 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
- "1998 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
- "2000 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
- "2001 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
- "2003 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
- "2008 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
- "2009 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
- "2010 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
- "2011 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
- "2012 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
- "2013 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
- "2015 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
- "2016 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved May 11, 2016.
- 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) - Lapointe, Joe (April 1, 1993). "Hockey; N.H.L. Redraws Map In Realignment Plan". The New York Times. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
- Anderson, Dave (April 15, 1993). "Sports of The Times; Rangers Must Search For a 'Riley'". The New York Times. Retrieved July 1, 2010.
- Swift, E. M. (January 23, 1995). "Drop Those Pucks!". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on May 17, 2009. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
- 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.
- "Lockout over salary cap shuts down NHL". ESPN. Associated Press. February 16, 2005. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
- "Shootouts are fan-friendly". The Washington Times. October 19, 2005. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
- "N.H.L. Names 4 Cities For Its New Franchises". The New York Times. June 18, 1997. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
- "NHL Announces 2012-13 Season Schedule". Lightning.nhl.com. Tampa Bay Lightning. January 12, 2013. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
- "NHL slate, division names revealed". ESPN.com news services. ESPN. July 20, 2013. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
- "NHL to pause season due to coronavirus". NHL.com. March 12, 2020. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
- 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.
