The Capitals were founded in 1974, but did not post a winning record or reach the Playoffs until the 1982-1983 season, when a group led by top scorers Dennis Maruk and Mike Gartner, along with defenseman Rod Langway, ended the frustration. It began a remarkable streak of 14 consecutive seasons in the Playoffs.

After that streak ended in 1996-1997, the Capitals bounced back the next year to win their first conference title. Led by right wing Peter Bondra and goalie Olaf K�lzig, they defeated Boston, Ottawa and Buffalo in the Playoffs to earn their first berth in the Stanley Cup Final. But the Caps were swept in four games.

Alexander Ovechkin arrived in 2005, and since 2007-2008, the Capitals have reached the Playoffs almost every year. The 2014-2015 season began a run of three consecutive years that the Capitals reached the second round, only to lose in heartbreaking fashion. In 2015-2016, they won a franchise-high and NHL-best 56 games only to be felled by Pittsburgh, all the losses coming by one goal. They won a league-best 55 games the next year, but again lost to the Penguins in the second round.

The Capitals would go on to win their first Stanley Cup Championship in franchise history in 2018 when they beat the Vegas Golden Knights. Ovechkin currently ranks second in most career goals scored with 822 and continues to chase Wayne Gretzky's career mark of 894. Along with Gartner and Langway, Yvon Labre and Dale Hunter have had their numbers retired.

Washington Capitals Team Info

Conference: Eastern

Division: Metropolitan

Year Founded: 1974

Team Colors: Red, Blue

Team Rivals: Carolina Hurricanes, Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins

Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena

In 1997, the Washington Capitals began play at Capital One Arena, their present home arena in Washington, D.C., which is also the home of the Washington Wizards. Located in the heart of downtown Washington, D.C., Capital One Arena has hosted many high-profile events since opening, including the 2018 and 1998 Stanley Cup Finals. Since opening, the arena has hosted 47 million visitors and more than 4,500 events.