# 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 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.
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. 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.
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, before finally winning their first Stanley Cup in the 2017–18 season after 42 seasons (not counting the cancelled 2004–05 season).

## Table key

Key of colors and symbols :
| Color/symbol | Explanation |
| † | Stanley Cup champions |
| ‡ | Conference champions |
| ↑ | Division champions |
| # | Led league in points |
Key of terms and abbreviations :
| 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 |

## Year by year

Year by year listing of all seasons played by the Washington Capitals :
| NHL season | Capitals season | Conference | Division | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Postseason | Postseason | Postseason | Postseason | Postseason | Postseason | Postseason | Postseason |
| NHL season | Capitals season | Conference | Division | 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 1992–93 | 1992–93 | Wales | Patrick | 2nd | 84 | 43 | 34 | 7 | — | 93 | 325 | 286 | 6 | 2 | 4 | — | 15 | 23 | Lost division semifinals to New York Islanders, 2–4 |
| 1993–94 | 1993–94 | Eastern | 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 |
| 1994–95 | 1994–95 | Eastern | Atlantic | 2nd | 48 | 22 | 18 | 8 | — | 52 | 136 | 120 | 7 | 3 | 4 | — | 10 | 17 | Lost conference quarterfinals to Pittsburgh Penguins, 3–4 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 1998–99 | 1998–99 | Eastern | Southeast | 3rd | 82 | 31 | 45 | 6 | — | 68 | 200 | 218 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Did not qualify |
| 1999–2000 | 1999–2000 | Eastern | Southeast↑ | 1st | 82 | 44 | 24 | 12 | 2 | 102 | 227 | 194 | 5 | 1 | 4 | — | 6 | 15 | Lost conference quarterfinals to Pittsburgh Penguins, 1–4 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 2003–04 | 2003–04 | Eastern | Southeast | 5th | 82 | 23 | 46 | 10 | 3 | 59 | 186 | 253 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Did not qualify |
| 2004–05 | 2004–05 | Eastern | Southeast | Season cancelled due to 2004–05 NHL lockout | Season cancelled due to 2004–05 NHL lockout | Season cancelled due to 2004–05 NHL lockout | Season cancelled due to 2004–05 NHL lockout | Season cancelled due to 2004–05 NHL lockout | Season cancelled due to 2004–05 NHL lockout | Season cancelled due to 2004–05 NHL lockout | Season cancelled due to 2004–05 NHL lockout | Season cancelled due to 2004–05 NHL lockout | Season cancelled due to 2004–05 NHL lockout | Season cancelled due to 2004–05 NHL lockout | Season cancelled due to 2004–05 NHL lockout | Season cancelled due to 2004–05 NHL lockout | Season cancelled due to 2004–05 NHL lockout | Season cancelled due to 2004–05 NHL lockout | Season cancelled due to 2004–05 NHL lockout | Season cancelled due to 2004–05 NHL lockout |
| 2005–06 | 2005–06 | Eastern | Southeast | 5th | 82 | 29 | 41 | — | 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 2012–13 | 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 |
| 2013–14 | 2013–14 | Eastern | Metropolitan | 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 | 4 | 0 | 4 | — | 7 | 15 | Lost first round to New York Rangers, 0–4 |
| Totals | Totals | Totals | Totals | Totals | 3,879 | 1,819 | 1,561 | 303 | 196 | 4,137 | 12,266 | 12,320 | 305 | 140 | 164 | 1 | 862 | 872 | 33 playoff appearances |