2023–24 Washington Capitals season

The 2023–24 Washington Capitals season was the 50th season (49th season of play) for the National Hockey League (NHL) franchise that was established on June 11, 1974.
The Capitals returned to the playoffs after missing them for the first time since 2013–14 season (and only the second time since 2006–07), ending their eight-season playoff streak, and attempted to win the team's second Stanley Cup and their first since 2018. The Capitals clinched the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference on April 16, 2024, following a 2–1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. In the playoffs, the Capitals were swept by the New York Rangers in the first round, the first time they were swept out of the first round in franchise history.
== Standings ==
=== Divisional standings ===
=== Conference standings ===
== Schedule and results ==
=== Preseason ===
The preseason schedule was released on June 21, 2023.
|- style="background:#fff;"
| 1 || September 24 || Buffalo || 4–3 || Washington || SO || Stevenson || Capital One Arena || 12,638 || 0–0–1 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 2 || September 28 || Detroit || 3–4 || Washington || || Lindgren || Capital One Arena || 12,746 || 1–0–1 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 3 || September 30 || Washington || 2–5 || Detroit || || Shepard || Little Caesars Arena || 11,050 || 1–1–1 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 4 || October 3 || Washington || 5–4 || Boston || OT || Kuemper || TD Garden || 17,565 || 2–1–1
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 5 || October 5 || Washington || 4–2 || Columbus || || Lindgren || Nationwide Arena || 11,491 || 3–1–1 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 6 || October 7 || Columbus || 4–2 || Washington || || Kuemper || Capital One Arena || 12,961 || 3–2–1 
|-
|- style="text-align:center;"
||Legend:
=== Regular Season ===
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 1 || October 13 || Pittsburgh || 4–0 || Washington || || Lindgren || Capital One Arena || 18,573 || 0–1–0 || 0 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 2 || October 16 || Calgary || 2–3 || Washington || SO || Kuemper || Capital One Arena || 16,489 || 1–1–0 || 2 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 3 || October 18 || Washington || 1–6 || Ottawa || || Kuemper || Canadian Tire Centre || 15,021 || 1–2–0 || 2 || 
|- style="background:#fff;"
| 4 || October 21 || Washington || 2–3 || Montreal || OT || Kuemper || Bell Centre || 21,105 || 1–2–1 || 3 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 5 || October 24 || Toronto || 4–1 || Washington || || Kuemper || Capital One Arena || 16,641 || 1–3–1 || 3 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 6 || October 25 || Washington || 6–4 || New Jersey || || Shepard || Prudential Center || 16,117 || 2–3–1 || 5 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 7 || October 27 || Minnesota || 2–3 || Washington || SO || Kuemper || Capital One Arena || 16,602 || 3–3–1 || 7 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 8 || October 29 || San Jose || 1–3 || Washington || || Kuemper || Capital One Arena || 15,856 || 4–3–1 || 9 || 
|-
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 9 || November 2 || NY Islanders || 3–0 || Washington || || Kuemper || Capital One Arena || 16,209 || 4–4–1 || 9 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 10 || November 4 || Columbus || 1–2 || Washington || || Lindgren || Capital One Arena || 18,573 || 5–4–1 || 11 ||
|- style="background:#fff;"
| 11 || November 8 || Florida || 4–3 || Washington || OT || Kuemper || Capital One Arena || 16,104 || 5–4–2 || 12 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 12 || November 10 || Washington || 4–2 || New Jersey || || Lindgren || Prudential Center || 16,514 || 6–4–2 || 14 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 13 || November 11 || Washington || 4–1 || NY Islanders || || Shepard || UBS Arena || 16,519 || 7–4–2 || 16 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 14 || November 14 || Vegas || 0–3 || Washington || || Lindgren || Capital One Arena || 16,598 || 8–4–2 || 18 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 15 || November 18 || Columbus || 3–4 || Washington || || Lindgren || Capital One Arena || 18,573 || 9–4–2 || 20 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 16 || November 22 || Buffalo || 3–4 || Washington || OT || Kuemper || Capital One Arena || 18,573 || 10–4–2 || 22 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 17 || November 24 || Edmonton || 5–0 || Washington || || Lindgren || Capital One Arena || 18,573 || 10–5–2 || 22 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 18 || November 27 || Washington || 1–2 || San Jose || || Kuemper || SAP Center || 10,759 || 10–6–2 || 22 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 19 || November 29 || Washington || 2–1 || Los Angeles || || Lindgren || Crypto.com Arena || 18,145 || 11–6–2 || 24 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 20 || November 30 || Washington || 5–4 || Anaheim || || Kuemper || Honda Center || 14,336 || 12–6–2 || 26 || 
|-
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 21 || December 2 || Washington || 1–4 || Vegas || || Kuemper || T-Mobile Arena || 18,140 || 12–7–2 || 26 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 22 || December 4 || Washington || 0–6 || Arizona || || Kuemper || Mullett Arena || 4,600 || 12–8–2 || 26 || 
|- style="background:#fff;"
| 23 || December 7 || Dallas || 5–4 || Washington || SO || Lindgren || Capital One Arena || 15,850 || 12–8–3 || 27 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 24 || December 9 || NY Rangers || 0–4 || Washington || || Lindgren || Capital One Arena || 18,573 || 13–8–3 || 29 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 25 || December 10 || Washington || 4–2 || Chicago || || Kuemper || United Center || 18,258 || 14–8–3 || 31 || 
|- style="background:#fff;"
| 26 || December 14 || Washington || 3–4 || Philadelphia || SO || Lindgren || Wells Fargo Center || 18,557 || 14–8–4 || 32 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 27 || December 16 || Washington || 1–3 || Nashville || || Lindgren || Bridgestone Arena || 17,267 || 14–9–4 || 32 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 28 || December 17 || Washington || 2–1 || Carolina || SO || Kuemper || PNC Arena || 18,700 || 15–9–4 || 34 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 29 || December 20 || NY Islanders || 2–3 || Washington || OT || Kuemper || Capital One Arena || 18,573 || 16–9–4 || 36 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 30 || December 21 || Washington || 3–2 || Columbus || OT || Lindgren || Nationwide Arena || 18,172 || 17–9–4 || 38 || 
|- style="background:#fff;"
| 31 || December 23 || Tampa Bay || 2–1 || Washington || SO || Lindgren || Capital One Arena || 18,573 || 17–9–5 || 39 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 32 || December 27 || Washington || 1–5 || NY Rangers || || Kuemper || Madison Square Garden || 18,006 || 17–10–5 || 39 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 33 || December 29 || Washington || 1–5 || NY Islanders || || Kuemper || UBS Arena || 17,255 || 17–11–5 || 39 || 
|- style="background:#fff;"
| 34 || December 30 || Nashville || 3–2 || Washington || SO || Shepard || Capital One Arena || 18,573 || 17–11–6 || 40 || 
|-
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 35 || January 2 || Washington || 4–3 || Pittsburgh || || Kuemper || PPG Paints Arena || 18,190 || 18–11–6 || 42 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 36 || January 3 || New Jersey || 6–3 || Washington || || Shepard || Capital One Arena || 17,156 || 18–12–6 || 42 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 37 || January 5 || Carolina || 6–2 || Washington || || Kuemper || Capital One Arena || 18,573 || 18–13–6 || 42 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 38 || January 7 || Los Angeles || 3–4 || Washington || || Kuemper || Capital One Arena || 18,573 || 19–13–6 || 44 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 39 || January 11 || Seattle || 4–1 || Washington || || Kuemper || Capital One Arena || 17,935 || 19–14–6 || 44 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 40 || January 13 || NY Rangers || 2–3 || Washington || || Lindgren || Capital One Arena || 18,573 || 20–14–6 || 46 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 41 || January 14 || Washington || 1–2 || NY Rangers || || Lindgren || Madison Square Garden || 18,006 || 20–15–6 || 46 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 42 || January 16 || Anaheim || 0–2 || Washington || || Kuemper || Capital One Arena || 15,961 || 21–15–6 || 48 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 43 || January 18 || St. Louis || 2–5 || Washington || || Lindgren || Capital One Arena || 17,909 || 22–15–6 || 50 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 44 || January 20 || Washington || 0–3 || St. Louis || || Lindgren || Enterprise Center || 18,096 || 22–16–6 || 50 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 45 || January 23 || Washington || 3–5 || Minnesota || || Kuemper || Xcel Energy Center || 18,437 || 22–17–6 || 50 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 46 || January 24 || Washington || 2–6 || Colorado || || Lindgren || Ball Arena || 18,136 || 22–18–6 || 50 || 
|- style="background:#fff;"
| 47 || January 27 || Washington || 4–5 || Dallas || OT || Lindgren || American Airlines Center || 18,532 || 22–18–7 || 51 || 
|-
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 48 || February 6 || Montreal || 5–2 || Washington || || Lindgren || Capital One Arena || 16,959 || 22–19–7 || 51 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 49 || February 8 || Washington || 2–4 || Florida || || Kuemper || Amerant Bank Arena || 17,645 || 22–20–7 || 51 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 50 || February 10 || Washington || 3–0 || Boston || || Lindgren || TD Garden || 17,850 || 23–20–7 || 53 || 
|- style="background:#fff;"
| 51 || February 11 || Vancouver || 3–2 || Washington || OT || Kuemper || Capital One Arena || 18,573 || 23–20–8 || 54 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 52 || February 13 || Colorado || 6–3 || Washington || || Lindgren || Capital One Arena || 17,878 || 23–21–8 || 54 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 53 || February 17 || Washington || 4–3 || Montreal || || Kuemper || Bell Centre || 21,105 || 24–21–8 || 56 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 54 || February 20 || New Jersey || 2–6 || Washington || || Lindgren || Capital One Arena || 17,232 || 25–21–8 || 58 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 55 || February 22 || Washington || 5–3 || Tampa Bay || || Lindgren || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 26–21–8 || 60 || 
|- style="background:#fff;"
| 56 || February 24 || Washington || 2–3 || Florida || OT || Lindgren || Amerant Bank Arena || 19,887 || 26–21–9 || 61 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 57 || February 26 || Ottawa || 3–6 || Washington || || Kuemper || Capital One Arena || 17,296 || 27–21–9 || 63 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 58 || February 27 || Washington || 3–8 || Detroit || || Lindgren || Little Caesars Arena || 19,515 || 27–22–9 || 63 || 
|-
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 59 || March 1 || Philadelphia || 2–5 || Washington || || Lindgren || Capital One Arena || 18,573 || 28–22–9 || 65 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 60 || March 3 || Arizona || 5–2 || Washington || || Lindgren || Capital One Arena || 18,573 || 28–23–9 || 65 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 61 || March 7 || Washington || 6–0 || Pittsburgh || || Lindgren || PPG Paints Arena || 17,093 || 29–23–9 || 67 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 62 || March 9 || Chicago || 1–4 || Washington || || Lindgren || Capital One Arena || 18,573 || 30–23–9 || 69 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 63 || March 11 || Washington || 0–3 || Winnipeg || || Lindgren || Canada Life Centre || 13,716 || 30–24–9 || 69 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 64 || March 13 || Washington || 2–7 || Edmonton || || Kuemper || Rogers Place || 18,347 || 30–25–9 || 69 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 65 || March 14 || Washington || 2–1 || Seattle || || Lindgren || Climate Pledge Arena || 17,151 || 31–25–9 || 71 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 66 || March 16 || Washington || 2–1 || Vancouver || || Lindgren || Rogers Arena || 18,859 || 32–25–9 || 73 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 67 || March 18 || Washington || 5–2 || Calgary || || Lindgren || Scotiabank Saddledome || 16,793 || 33–25–9 || 75 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 68 || March 20 || Toronto || 7–3 || Washington || || Lindgren || Capital One Arena || 17,727 || 33–26–9 || 75 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 69 || March 22 || Carolina || 6–7 || Washington || SO || Lindgren || Capital One Arena || 18,573 || 34–26–9 || 77 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 70 || March 24 || Winnipeg || 0–3 || Washington || || Lindgren || Capital One Arena || 18,573 || 35–26–9 || 79 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 71 || March 26 || Detroit || 3–4 || Washington || OT || Lindgren || Capital One Arena || 18,573 || 36–26–9 || 81 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 72 || March 28 || Washington || 1–5 || Toronto || || Lindgren || Scotiabank Arena || 18,577 || 36–27–9 || 81 || 
|- style="background:#fff;"
| 73 || March 30 || Boston || 3–2 || Washington || SO || Lindgren || Capital One Arena || 18,573 || 36–27–10 || 82 || 
|-
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 74 || April 2 || Washington || 2–6 || Buffalo || || Lindgren || KeyBank Center || 14,390 || 36–28–10 || 82 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 75 || April 4 || Pittsburgh || 4–1 || Washington || || Lindgren || Capital One Arena || 18,573 || 36–29–10 || 82 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 76 || April 5 || Washington || 2–4 || Carolina || || Kuemper || PNC Arena || 18,724 || 36–30–10 || 82 || 
|- style="background:#fff;"
| 77 || April 7 || Ottawa || 3–2 || Washington || OT || Lindgren || Capital One Arena || 17,902 || 36–30–11 || 83 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 78 || April 9 || Washington || 2–1 || Detroit || || Lindgren || Little Caesars Arena || 19,515 || 37–30–11 || 85 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 79 || April 11 || Washington || 2–4 || Buffalo || || Lindgren || KeyBank Center || 15,454 || 37–31–11 || 85 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 80 || April 13 || Tampa Bay || 2–4 || Washington || || Lindgren || Capital One Arena || 18,573 || 38–31–11 || 87 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 81 || April 15 || Boston || 0–2 || Washington || || Lindgren || Capital One Arena || 18,573 || 39–31–11 || 89 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 82 || April 16 || Washington || 2–1 || Philadelphia || || Lindgren || Wells Fargo Center || 19,411 || 40–31–11 || 91 || 
|- 
|-
|
=== Playoffs ===
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 1 || April 21 || Washington || 1–4 || NY Rangers || || Lindgren || 18,006 || 0–1 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 2 || April 23 || Washington || 3–4 || NY Rangers || || Lindgren || 18,006 || 0–2 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 3 || April 26 || NY Rangers || 3–1 || Washington || || Lindgren || 18,573 || 0–3 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 4 || April 28 || NY Rangers || 4–2 || Washington || || Lindgren || 18,573 || 0–4 || 
|-
|-
|
==Player stats==
As of April 28, 2024
===Skaters===
 Regular Season
Player	 	 	 	 	 	
 	82	27	40	67	 	22
 	79	31	34	65	 	20
 	82	10	42	52	 	40
‡ 	56	20	14	34	+5	17
 	74	18	17	35	 	133
 	80	18	15	33	 	34
 	78	6 	23	29	 	8
 	52	12	13	25	 	44
 	49	15	8 	23	+4	10
 	47	4 	19	23	 	25
 	68	3 	20	23	 	24
 	64	12	10	22	 	47
 	51	8 	14	22	 	4
 	81	6 	15	21	 	25
‡ 	43	6 	11	17	 	24
 	60	6 	10	16	+4	23
 	66	3 	13	16	 	24
 	78	1 	13	14	 	10
 	70	0 	14	14	 	18
 	25	4 	3 	7 	0 	2
 	21	2 	4 	6 	 	6
‡ 	44	1 	5 	6 	 	19
 	28	1 	4 	5 	 	0
 	24	1 	3 	4 	 	10
 	39	1 	2 	3 	 	6
 	3 	0 	1 	1 	+1	5
 	6 	0 	1 	1 	 	2
 	6 	0 	1 	1 	+1	4
 	8 	0 	1 	1 	 	2
 	3 	0 	0 	0 	+1	2
 	3 	0 	0 	0 	 	0
 	6 	0 	0 	0 	+1	0
Playoffs
Player	 	 	 	 	 	
 	4	2	1	3	0 	2
 	4	1	2	3	+1	16
 	4	1	1	2	 	2
 	4	1	1	2	 	0
 	4	1	1	2	 	0
 	4	0	2	2	+1	0
 	4	1	0	1	 	2
 	4	0	1	1	 	4
 	4	0	1	1	 	4
 	4	0	1	1	 	2
 	1	0	0	0	 	0
 	1	0	0	0	 	2
 	1	0	0	0	0 	0
 	1	0	0	0	0 	2
 	2	0	0	0	0 	0
 	3	0	0	0	 	2
 	3	0	0	0	 	0
 	4	0	0	0	0 	6
 	4	0	0	0	 	2
 	4	0	0	0	+2	10
 	4	0	0	0	 	0
 	4	0	0	0	 	0
===Goaltenders===
Regular season
Player	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	50	48	2,852:23	25	16	7	127	2.67	1,431	.911	6	0	0	0
 	33	30	1,866:32	13	14	3	103	3.31	940 	.890	1	0	1	0
 	4 	4 	244:50 	2 	1 	1	13 	3.19	123 	.894	0	0	0	0
Playoffs
Player	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	4	4	234:31	0	4	14	3.58	103	.864	0	0	0	0
†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining the Capitals. Stats reflect time with the Capitals only.
‡No longer with the Capitals.
== Roster ==
==Transactions==
The Capitals have been involved in the following transactions during the 2023–24 season.
Key:
 Contract is entry-level.
 Contract initially takes effect in the 2024–25 season.
===Trades===
Date	Details 	Details 	Ref
 	To San Jose Sharks7th-round pick in 2025 	To Washington CapitalsPIT 7th-round pick in 2023 	
 	To Montreal CanadiensMIN 3rd-round pick in 20247th-round pick in 2024	To Washington CapitalsJoel Edmundson (50% retained) 	
 	To Vegas Golden KnightsAnthony Mantha (50% retained) 	To Washington Capitals2nd-round pick in 20244th-round pick in 2026 	
 	To Toronto Maple LeafsJoel Edmundson (50% retained) 	To Washington CapitalsNYI 3rd-round pick in 2024CHI 5th-round pick in 2025	
 	To Carolina HurricanesEvgeny Kuznetsov (50% retained) 	To Washington Capitals3rd-round pick in 2025 	
===Players acquired===
Date	Player 	Former team 	Term 	Via 	Ref
 	Max Pacioretty 	Carolina Hurricanes	1-year	Free agency	
 	Pierrick Dube 	Laval Rocket (AHL) 	2-year	Free agency	
 	Matthew Phillips	Calgary Flames 	1-year	Free agency	
 	Alex Limoges 	Winnipeg Jets 	1-year	Free agency	
 	Chase Priskie 	Anaheim Ducks 	1-year	Free agency	
 	Ethan Bear 	Vancouver Canucks 	2-year	Free agency	
 	Matthew Phillips	Pittsburgh Penguins	 	Waivers 	
===Players lost===
Date	Player 	New team 	Term 	Via 	Ref
 	Connor Brown 	Edmonton Oilers 	1-year	Free-agency	
 	Matt Irwin 	Vancouver Canucks 	1-year	Free-agency	
 	Garrett Pilon 	Ottawa Senators 	1-year	Free-agency	
 	Conor Sheary 	Tampa Bay Lightning 	3-year	Free-agency	
 	Craig Smith 	Dallas Stars 	1-year	Free-agency	
 	Zachary Fucale 	Traktor Chelyabinsk (KHL)	2-year	Free-agency	
 	Gabriel Carlsson	Växjö Lakers (SHL) 	3-year	Free-agency	
 	Bobby Nardella 	HV71 (SHL) 	1-year	Free-agency	
 	Matthew Phillips	Pittsburgh Penguins 	 	Waivers 	
===Signings===
Date	Player 	Term 	Ref
 	Hunter Shepard 	1-year	
 	Dylan McIlrath 	2-year	
 	Martin Fehervary	3-year	
 	Riley Sutter 	1-year	
 	Andrew Cristall 	3-year	
 	Tom Wilson 	7-year	
 	Clay Stevenson 	2-year	
 	Rasmus Sandin 	5-year	
== Draft picks ==
Below are the Washington Capitals selections at 2023 NHL Entry Draft, which was on June 28 and 29, 2023, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.
Round	# 	Player 	Pos	Nationality	College/Junior/Club team (League)
1 	8 	Ryan Leonard 	RW 	 	U.S NTDP (USHL)
2 	40 	Andrew Cristall	LW 	 	Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
4 	104	Patrick Thomas 	C 	 	Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL)
5 	136	Cameron Allen 	D 	 	Guelph Storm (OHL)
7 	200	Brett Hyland 	C 	 	Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
Notes:
== References ==
Category:Washington Capitals seasons
Category:2023–24 in American ice hockey by team
Washington