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Expansion
The NHL grants Abe Pollin the right to bring an expansion franchise to Washington, beginning with the 1974-75 season. -
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Washington Capitals Franchise Timeline
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Draft
Washington chose defenseman Greg Joly with its first pick and the first choice overall in the NHL Amateur Draft. -
First Goal
Jim Hrycuik scores the first goal in franchise history but the Caps fall to the New York Rangers by a 6-3 score at Madison Square Garden in the team's first ever regular season game. -
First Home Goal
Yvon Labre scores the team's first home ice goal in a 1-1 tie against Los Angeles. -
First Win
The Capitals record the first regular season victory in franchise history, defeating the Chicago Blackhawks 4-3 at the Capital Centre. Jack Egers supplies the game-winning goal. -
First Shutout
Goaltender Ron Low notches the first shutout in franchise history with a 3-0 whitewashing of the Kansas City Scouts. -
#7
The Capitals retire the uniform No. 7 worn by defenseman Yvon Labre. -
First HOF player
Washington chooses defenseman Scott Stevens with its first choice (fifth overall) in the 1982 NHL Entry Draft. Stevens plays the first eight seasons of a 22-year NHL career in Washington and goes on to the Hockey Hall of Fame. -
Perfect Shot
Washington's Bengt Gustafsson scores five goals on five shots in a 7-1 win over the Flyers in Philadelphia. -
Stanly Cup
Dale Hunter's goal at 5:57 of overtime of Game 7 of the Patrick Division Semifinal gives the Capitals a 5-4 win and Washington its first ever win in a best-of-seven Stanley Cup playoff series. -
Vezina Trophy
Washington's Jim Carey becomes the first Capitals goaltender to win the Vezina Trophy as the league's best goaltender. -
Alex Ovechkin
Choosing first overall in the NHL draft for the first time since 1976, the Capitals select left wing Alex Ovechkin. -
Alex Ovechkin first game
Alex Ovechkin scores two goals in his first NHL game, a 3-2 win over Columbus at Verizon Center. -
Hat trick
Alex Ovechkin notches his first career hat trick to lead the Caps to a 3-2 overtime win over the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in Anaheim. -
"The Goal"
Alex Ovechkin scores what will forever be known as "The Goal" against the Coyotes in Phoenix. -
Calder Trophy
Alex Ovechkin becomes the first Capital to win the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie. Olie Kolzig is given the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for leadership and humanitarian contribution. -
History for Ovechkin
Alex Ovechkin became the first player in NHL history to win the Hart Trophy (league MVP), Art Ross Trophy (leading scorer), Lester B. Pearson Award (MVP as voted by players) and Maurice Richard Trophy (leading goal scorer) all in the same year. Caps coach Bruce Boudreau wins the Jack Adams Trophy, becoming the second Caps coach to earn the honor. -
2 years in a row for ovechkin
Alex Ovechkin is named winner of the Hart Trophy, Lester B. Pearson Award and Maurice Richard Trophy, winning each for the second straight year.
