As the new NHL season kicks off, the Washington Capitals are brimming with hope for a successful season. The team we see today has evolved significantly since its start. Let’s take a journey back to 1974 to witness the growth, changes, and success of the Capitals. 

The Washington Capitals joined the National Hockey League in 1974. Initially, the team’s expansion roster faced heavy criticism from the public, largely due to the highest points scorer, Tommy Williams, only managing 58 points. The Capital’s record for the 1974-75 season was a dismal 8-67-5, earning them the unfortunate title as the team with the lowest points scored in a season in NHL history.

The 1980s marked a period of significant improvement for the Capitals. The addition of future Hall of Famers like Larry Murphy, Mike Gartner, and Rod Langway, strengthened the team’s performance. The pinnacle of this decade was the 1985-86 season, where the Capitals finished second in the Patrick Division with 107 points and a 50-23-7 record. They made it to the playoffs and swept the New York Islanders 3-0 sweep in the divisional semifinals, yet fell to the New York Rangers 4-2.

The 1990s were a solid decade for the Capitals, with the team making the playoffs eight times! The standout season of the decade was 1997-98, when the Capitals, led by new Hall of Famers Adam Oates and Phil Housley, finished third in the Atlantic Division with a 40-30-12 record and 92 points. This season saw the Capitals make an unexpected run to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in franchise history, although they were ultimately swept 4-0.

The 2000s saw the Capitals make the playoffs five times, marking even more steady improvement from the team. This era saw the arrival of future stars like Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Bäckström. The standout season of the decade was 2008-09, when the Capitals finished with a 50-24-8 record and 108 points, securing 1st place in the Southeast Division. Despite their strong performance, the Capitals’ playoff run ended in the Conference semifinals with a game-seven loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Last but not least, the 2010s were arguably the best decade for the Capitals who made the playoffs nine times! This period saw the emergence of notable players like Evgeny Kuznetsov, T.J. Oshie, John Carlson, Tom Wilson, and Braden Holtby. The 2017-18 season was particularly remarkable, with the Capitals finishing the regular season with a 49-26-7 record and 105 points, topping the Metropolitan Division. They powered through the first and second rounds of playoffs and triumphed over the Tampa Bay Lightning in seven games to reach the Stanley Cup Final. Facing the recently added Vegas Golden Knights who were first in the Pacific Division, the Capitals dominated the series, winning 4-1 to claim their first Stanley Cup.

Twenty years after their first Stanley Cup appearance, the Capitals finally achieved their ultimate goal. After years of playoff heartbreaks, including losses in the conference finals, semifinals, and first rounds, the Capitals emerged victorious.