2017–18 Washington Capitals season
Updated: 5/24/2026, 6:57:03 PM Wikipedia source
The 2017–18 Washington Capitals season was the 43rd season for the National Hockey League (NHL) franchise that was established on June 11, 1974. They played their home games at Capital One Arena in Washington, D ., were led by head coach Barry Trotz in his fourth season as coach of the Capitals. The Capitals won their first Stanley Cup in franchise history, defeating the upstart Vegas Golden Knights, a first-year expansion team in the Stanley Cup Final. The Capitals finished the regular season with 105 points, winning the Metropolitan Division for the third year in a row. Left winger and team captain Alexander Ovechkin secured his seventh Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy, by leading the league with 49 goals. Fellow Russian Evgeny Kuznetsov led the team in assists with 56. In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, they lost the first two games of their first round series against the Columbus Blue Jackets before winning the next four games to advance to the Conference Semi-finals against their arch-rival, the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion's Pittsburgh Penguins, who ended the Capitals' playoffs during each of the previous two years. The Capitals defeated the Penguins in six games to advance the Eastern Conference Finals, their first trip to a conference championship series since 1998. The Capitals defeated the top seeded Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference Finals in seven games, after overcoming a 3–2 series deficit following a Game 5 loss for the first time in franchise history, with goaltender Braden Holtby posting shutouts in both Games 6 and 7 in the process, to earn their first trip to the Stanley Cup Final since 1998, when they were swept by the Detroit Red Wings. Making their first Stanley Cup Final appearance in twenty years, the Capitals went up against the upstart Vegas Golden Knights and emerged victorious in five games to claim the franchise's inaugural Stanley Cup championship, while becoming the 100th Stanley Cup champions since 1914. Team captain Alexander Ovechkin was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the playoffs for the first time in his career.
Infobox
Division
1st Metropolitan
Conference
3rd Eastern
2017–18 record
49–26–7
Home record
28–11–2
Road record
21–15–5
Goals for
259
Goals against
239
General manager
Brian MacLellan
Coach
Barry Trotz
Captain
Alexander Ovechkin
Alternate captains
Nicklas Backstrom Brooks Orpik
Arena
Capital One Arena
Average attendance
18,774
Minor league affiliates
Hershey Bears (AHL) South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL)
Goals
Alexander Ovechkin (49)
Assists
Evgeny Kuznetsov (56)
Points
Alexander Ovechkin (87)
Penalty minutes
Tom Wilson (187)
Plus/minus
Matt Niskanen ( 24)
Wins
Braden Holtby (34)
Goals against average
Philipp Grubauer (2 )
Tables
Metropolitan Division · Standings
1
1
Pos
1
Team
y – Washington Capitals
GP
82
W
49
L
26
OTL
7
ROW
46
GF
259
GA
239
GD
+20
Pts
105
2
2
Pos
2
Team
x – Pittsburgh Penguins
GP
82
W
47
L
29
OTL
6
ROW
45
GF
272
GA
250
GD
+22
Pts
100
3
3
Pos
3
Team
x – Philadelphia Flyers
GP
82
W
42
L
26
OTL
14
ROW
40
GF
251
GA
243
GD
+8
Pts
98
4
4
Pos
4
Team
x – Columbus Blue Jackets
GP
82
W
45
L
30
OTL
7
ROW
39
GF
242
GA
230
GD
+12
Pts
97
5
5
Pos
5
Team
x – New Jersey Devils
GP
82
W
44
L
29
OTL
9
ROW
39
GF
248
GA
244
GD
+4
Pts
97
6
6
Pos
6
Team
Carolina Hurricanes
GP
82
W
36
L
35
OTL
11
ROW
33
GF
228
GA
256
GD
−28
Pts
83
7
7
Pos
7
Team
New York Islanders
GP
82
W
35
L
37
OTL
10
ROW
32
GF
264
GA
296
GD
−32
Pts
80
8
8
Pos
8
Team
New York Rangers
GP
82
W
34
L
39
OTL
9
ROW
31
GF
231
GA
268
GD
−37
Pts
77
| Pos | Team | GP | W | L | OTL | ROW | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 1 | y – Washington Capitals | 82 | 49 | 26 | 7 | 46 | 259 | 239 | +20 | 105 |
| 2 | x – Pittsburgh Penguins | 82 | 47 | 29 | 6 | 45 | 272 | 250 | +22 | 100 |
| 3 | x – Philadelphia Flyers | 82 | 42 | 26 | 14 | 40 | 251 | 243 | +8 | 98 |
| 4 | x – Columbus Blue Jackets | 82 | 45 | 30 | 7 | 39 | 242 | 230 | +12 | 97 |
| 5 | x – New Jersey Devils | 82 | 44 | 29 | 9 | 39 | 248 | 244 | +4 | 97 |
| 6 | Carolina Hurricanes | 82 | 36 | 35 | 11 | 33 | 228 | 256 | −28 | 83 |
| 7 | New York Islanders | 82 | 35 | 37 | 10 | 32 | 264 | 296 | −32 | 80 |
| 8 | New York Rangers | 82 | 34 | 39 | 9 | 31 | 231 | 268 | −37 | 77 |
1
1
Game
1
Date
September 18
Opponent
@ New Jersey Devils
Score
1–4
Record
0–1–0
2
2
Game
2
Date
September 20
Opponent
@ Montreal Canadiens
Score
4–2
Record
1–1–0
3
3
Game
3
Date
September 22
Opponent
St. Louis Blues
Score
0–4
Record
1–2–0
4
4
Game
4
Date
September 23
Opponent
Carolina Hurricanes
Score
1–4
Record
1–3–0
5
5
Game
5
Date
September 27
Opponent
New Jersey Devils
Score
1–4
Record
1–4–0
6
6
Game
6
Date
September 29
Opponent
@ Carolina Hurricanes
Score
1–3
Record
1–5–0
7
7
Game
7
Date
October 1
Opponent
@ St. Louis Blues
Score
4–3
Record
2–5–0
| Game | Date | Opponent | Score | Record |
| 1 | September 18 | @ New Jersey Devils | 1–4 | 0–1–0 |
| 2 | September 20 | @ Montreal Canadiens | 4–2 | 1–1–0 |
| 3 | September 22 | St. Louis Blues | 0–4 | 1–2–0 |
| 4 | September 23 | Carolina Hurricanes | 1–4 | 1–3–0 |
| 5 | September 27 | New Jersey Devils | 1–4 | 1–4–0 |
| 6 | September 29 | @ Carolina Hurricanes | 1–3 | 1–5–0 |
| 7 | October 1 | @ St. Louis Blues | 4–3 | 2–5–0 |
1
1
Game
1
Date
October 5
Opponent
@ Ottawa
Score
5–4
OT
SO
Decision
Holtby
Location
Canadian Tire Centre
Attendance
17,009
Record
1–0–0
Points
2
Recap
Recap
2
2
Game
2
Date
October 7
Opponent
Montreal
Score
6–1
Decision
Holtby
Location
Capital One Arena
Attendance
18,506
Record
2–0–0
Points
4
Recap
Recap
3
3
Game
3
Date
October 9
Opponent
@ Tampa Bay
Score
3–4
OT
OT
Decision
Grubauer
Location
Amalie Arena
Attendance
19,092
Record
2–0–1
Points
5
Recap
Recap
4
4
Game
4
Date
October 11
Opponent
Pittsburgh
Score
2–3
Decision
Holtby
Location
Capital One Arena
Attendance
18,506
Record
2–1–1
Points
5
Recap
Recap
5
5
Game
5
Date
October 13
Opponent
@ New Jersey
Score
5–2
Decision
Holtby
Location
Prudential Center
Attendance
13,458
Record
3–1–1
Points
7
Recap
Recap
6
6
Game
6
Date
October 14
Opponent
@ Philadelphia
Score
2–8
Decision
Grubauer
Location
Wells Fargo Center
Attendance
19,817
Record
3–2–1
Points
7
Recap
Recap
7
7
Game
7
Date
October 17
Opponent
Toronto
Score
0–2
Decision
Holtby
Location
Capital One Arena
Attendance
18,506
Record
3–3–1
Points
7
Recap
Recap
8
8
Game
8
Date
October 20
Opponent
@ Detroit
Score
4–3
OT
OT
Decision
Holtby
Location
Little Caesars Arena
Attendance
19,515
Record
4–3–1
Points
9
Recap
Recap
9
9
Game
9
Date
October 21
Opponent
Florida
Score
1–4
Decision
Grubauer
Location
Capital One Arena
Attendance
18,506
Record
4–4–1
Points
9
Recap
Recap
10
10
Game
10
Date
October 26
Opponent
@ Vancouver
Score
2–6
Decision
Holtby
Location
Rogers Arena
Attendance
18,293
Record
4–5–1
Points
9
Recap
Recap
11
11
Game
11
Date
October 28
Opponent
@ Edmonton
Score
5–2
Decision
Holtby
Location
Rogers Place
Attendance
18,347
Record
5–5–1
Points
11
Recap
Recap
12
12
Game
12
Date
October 29
Opponent
@ Calgary
Score
1–2
Decision
Grubauer
Location
Scotiabank Saddledome
Attendance
18,327
Record
5–6–1
Points
11
Recap
Recap
| Game | Date | Opponent | Score | OT | Decision | Location | Attendance | Record | Points | Recap |
| 1 | October 5 | @ Ottawa | 5–4 | SO | Holtby | Canadian Tire Centre | 17,009 | 1–0–0 | 2 | Recap |
| 2 | October 7 | Montreal | 6–1 | Holtby | Capital One Arena | 18,506 | 2–0–0 | 4 | Recap | |
| 3 | October 9 | @ Tampa Bay | 3–4 | OT | Grubauer | Amalie Arena | 19,092 | 2–0–1 | 5 | Recap |
| 4 | October 11 | Pittsburgh | 2–3 | Holtby | Capital One Arena | 18,506 | 2–1–1 | 5 | Recap | |
| 5 | October 13 | @ New Jersey | 5–2 | Holtby | Prudential Center | 13,458 | 3–1–1 | 7 | Recap | |
| 6 | October 14 | @ Philadelphia | 2–8 | Grubauer | Wells Fargo Center | 19,817 | 3–2–1 | 7 | Recap | |
| 7 | October 17 | Toronto | 0–2 | Holtby | Capital One Arena | 18,506 | 3–3–1 | 7 | Recap | |
| 8 | October 20 | @ Detroit | 4–3 | OT | Holtby | Little Caesars Arena | 19,515 | 4–3–1 | 9 | Recap |
| 9 | October 21 | Florida | 1–4 | Grubauer | Capital One Arena | 18,506 | 4–4–1 | 9 | Recap | |
| 10 | October 26 | @ Vancouver | 2–6 | Holtby | Rogers Arena | 18,293 | 4–5–1 | 9 | Recap | |
| 11 | October 28 | @ Edmonton | 5–2 | Holtby | Rogers Place | 18,347 | 5–5–1 | 11 | Recap | |
| 12 | October 29 | @ Calgary | 1–2 | Grubauer | Scotiabank Saddledome | 18,327 | 5–6–1 | 11 | Recap |
13
13
Game
13
Date
November 2
Opponent
NY Islanders
Score
4–3
Decision
Holtby
Location
Capital One Arena
Attendance
18,506
Record
6–6–1
Points
13
Recap
Recap
14
14
Game
14
Date
November 4
Opponent
@ Boston
Score
3–2
Decision
Holtby
Location
TD Garden
Attendance
17,565
Record
7–6–1
Points
15
Recap
Recap
15
15
Game
15
Date
November 6
Opponent
Arizona
Score
3–2
OT
OT
Decision
Holtby
Location
Capital One Arena
Attendance
18,506
Record
8–6–1
Points
17
Recap
Recap
16
16
Game
16
Date
November 7
Opponent
@ Buffalo
Score
1–3
Decision
Grubauer
Location
KeyBank Center
Attendance
17,146
Record
8–7–1
Points
17
Recap
Recap
17
17
Game
17
Date
November 10
Opponent
Pittsburgh
Score
4–1
Decision
Holtby
Location
Capital One Arena
Attendance
18,506
Record
9–7–1
Points
19
Recap
Recap
18
18
Game
18
Date
November 12
Opponent
Edmonton
Score
2–1
OT
SO
Decision
Holtby
Location
Capital One Arena
Attendance
18,506
Record
10–7–1
Points
21
Recap
Recap
19
19
Game
19
Date
November 14
Opponent
@ Nashville
Score
3–6
Decision
Holtby
Location
Bridgestone Arena
Attendance
17,113
Record
10–8–1
Points
21
Recap
Recap
20
20
Game
20
Date
November 16
Opponent
@ Colorado
Score
2–6
Decision
Grubauer
Location
Pepsi Center
Attendance
15,070
Record
10–9–1
Points
21
Recap
Recap
21
21
Game
21
Date
November 18
Opponent
Minnesota
Score
3–1
Decision
Holtby
Location
Capital One Arena
Attendance
18,506
Record
11–9–1
Points
23
Recap
Recap
22
22
Game
22
Date
November 20
Opponent
Calgary
Score
1–4
Decision
Holtby
Location
Capital One Arena
Attendance
18,506
Record
11–10–1
Points
23
Recap
Recap
23
23
Game
23
Date
November 22
Opponent
Ottawa
Score
5–2
Decision
Holtby
Location
Capital One Arena
Attendance
18,506
Record
12–10–1
Points
25
Recap
Recap
24
24
Game
24
Date
November 24
Opponent
Tampa Bay
Score
3–1
Decision
Grubauer
Location
Capital One Arena
Attendance
18,506
Record
13–10–1
Points
27
Recap
Recap
25
25
Game
25
Date
November 25
Opponent
@ Toronto
Score
4–2
Decision
Holtby
Location
Air Canada Centre
Attendance
19,404
Record
14–10–1
Points
29
Recap
Recap
26
26
Game
26
Date
November 30
Opponent
Los Angeles
Score
2–5
Decision
Holtby
Location
Capital One Arena
Attendance
18,506
Record
14–11–1
Points
29
Recap
Recap
| Game | Date | Opponent | Score | OT | Decision | Location | Attendance | Record | Points | Recap |
| 13 | November 2 | NY Islanders | 4–3 | Holtby | Capital One Arena | 18,506 | 6–6–1 | 13 | Recap | |
| 14 | November 4 | @ Boston | 3–2 | Holtby | TD Garden | 17,565 | 7–6–1 | 15 | Recap | |
| 15 | November 6 | Arizona | 3–2 | OT | Holtby | Capital One Arena | 18,506 | 8–6–1 | 17 | Recap |
| 16 | November 7 | @ Buffalo | 1–3 | Grubauer | KeyBank Center | 17,146 | 8–7–1 | 17 | Recap | |
| 17 | November 10 | Pittsburgh | 4–1 | Holtby | Capital One Arena | 18,506 | 9–7–1 | 19 | Recap | |
| 18 | November 12 | Edmonton | 2–1 | SO | Holtby | Capital One Arena | 18,506 | 10–7–1 | 21 | Recap |
| 19 | November 14 | @ Nashville | 3–6 | Holtby | Bridgestone Arena | 17,113 | 10–8–1 | 21 | Recap | |
| 20 | November 16 | @ Colorado | 2–6 | Grubauer | Pepsi Center | 15,070 | 10–9–1 | 21 | Recap | |
| 21 | November 18 | Minnesota | 3–1 | Holtby | Capital One Arena | 18,506 | 11–9–1 | 23 | Recap | |
| 22 | November 20 | Calgary | 1–4 | Holtby | Capital One Arena | 18,506 | 11–10–1 | 23 | Recap | |
| 23 | November 22 | Ottawa | 5–2 | Holtby | Capital One Arena | 18,506 | 12–10–1 | 25 | Recap | |
| 24 | November 24 | Tampa Bay | 3–1 | Grubauer | Capital One Arena | 18,506 | 13–10–1 | 27 | Recap | |
| 25 | November 25 | @ Toronto | 4–2 | Holtby | Air Canada Centre | 19,404 | 14–10–1 | 29 | Recap | |
| 26 | November 30 | Los Angeles | 2–5 | Holtby | Capital One Arena | 18,506 | 14–11–1 | 29 | Recap |
27
27
Game
27
Date
December 2
Opponent
Columbus
Score
4–3
Decision
Holtby
Location
Capital One Arena
Attendance
18,506
Record
15–11–1
Points
31
Recap
Recap
28
28
Game
28
Date
December 4
Opponent
San Jose
Score
4–1
Decision
Grubauer
Location
Capital One Arena
Attendance
18,506
Record
16–11–1
Points
33
Recap
Recap
29
29
Game
29
Date
December 6
Opponent
Chicago
Score
6–2
Decision
Holtby
Location
Capital One Arena
Attendance
18,506
Record
17–11–1
Points
35
Recap
Recap
30
30
Game
30
Date
December 8
Opponent
NY Rangers
Score
4–2
Decision
Holtby
Location
Capital One Arena
Attendance
18,506
Record
18–11–1
Points
37
Recap
Recap
31
31
Game
31
Date
December 11
Opponent
@ NY Islanders
Score
1–3
Decision
Holtby
Location
Barclays Center
Attendance
11,053
Record
18–12–1
Points
37
Recap
Recap
32
32
Game
32
Date
December 12
Opponent
Colorado
Score
5–2
Decision
Holtby
Location
Capital One Arena
Attendance
18,506
Record
19–12–1
Points
39
Recap
Recap
33
33
Game
33
Date
December 14
Opponent
@ Boston
Score
5–3
Decision
Holtby
Location
TD Garden
Attendance
17,565
Record
20–12–1
Points
41
Recap
Recap
34
34
Game
34
Date
December 16
Opponent
Anaheim
Score
3–2
OT
OT
Decision
Holtby
Location
Capital One Arena
Attendance
18,506
Record
21–12–1
Points
43
Recap
Recap
35
35
Game
35
Date
December 19
Opponent
@ Dallas
Score
4–3
OT
OT
Decision
Holtby
Location
American Airlines Center
Attendance
18,112
Record
22–12–1
Points
45
Recap
Recap
36
36
Game
36
Date
December 22
Opponent
@ Arizona
Score
2–3
OT
OT
Decision
Grubauer
Location
Gila River Arena
Attendance
10,904
Record
22–12–2
Points
46
Recap
Recap
37
37
Game
37
Date
December 23
Opponent
@ Vegas
Score
0–3
Decision
Holtby
Location
T-Mobile Arena
Attendance
18,025
Record
22–13–2
Points
46
Recap
Recap
38
38
Game
38
Date
December 27
Opponent
@ NY Rangers
Score
0–1
OT
SO
Decision
Grubauer
Location
Madison Square Garden
Attendance
18,006
Record
22–13–3
Points
47
Recap
Recap
39
39
Game
39
Date
December 28
Opponent
Boston
Score
4–3
OT
SO
Decision
Holtby
Location
Capital One Arena
Attendance
18,506
Record
23–13–3
Points
49
Recap
Recap
40
40
Game
40
Date
December 30
Opponent
New Jersey
Score
5–2
Decision
Holtby
Location
Capital One Arena
Attendance
18,506
Record
24–13–3
Points
51
Recap
Recap
| Game | Date | Opponent | Score | OT | Decision | Location | Attendance | Record | Points | Recap |
| 27 | December 2 | Columbus | 4–3 | Holtby | Capital One Arena | 18,506 | 15–11–1 | 31 | Recap | |
| 28 | December 4 | San Jose | 4–1 | Grubauer | Capital One Arena | 18,506 | 16–11–1 | 33 | Recap | |
| 29 | December 6 | Chicago | 6–2 | Holtby | Capital One Arena | 18,506 | 17–11–1 | 35 | Recap | |
| 30 | December 8 | NY Rangers | 4–2 | Holtby | Capital One Arena | 18,506 | 18–11–1 | 37 | Recap | |
| 31 | December 11 | @ NY Islanders | 1–3 | Holtby | Barclays Center | 11,053 | 18–12–1 | 37 | Recap | |
| 32 | December 12 | Colorado | 5–2 | Holtby | Capital One Arena | 18,506 | 19–12–1 | 39 | Recap | |
| 33 | December 14 | @ Boston | 5–3 | Holtby | TD Garden | 17,565 | 20–12–1 | 41 | Recap | |
| 34 | December 16 | Anaheim | 3–2 | OT | Holtby | Capital One Arena | 18,506 | 21–12–1 | 43 | Recap |
| 35 | December 19 | @ Dallas | 4–3 | OT | Holtby | American Airlines Center | 18,112 | 22–12–1 | 45 | Recap |
| 36 | December 22 | @ Arizona | 2–3 | OT | Grubauer | Gila River Arena | 10,904 | 22–12–2 | 46 | Recap |
| 37 | December 23 | @ Vegas | 0–3 | Holtby | T-Mobile Arena | 18,025 | 22–13–2 | 46 | Recap | |
| 38 | December 27 | @ NY Rangers | 0–1 | SO | Grubauer | Madison Square Garden | 18,006 | 22–13–3 | 47 | Recap |
| 39 | December 28 | Boston | 4–3 | SO | Holtby | Capital One Arena | 18,506 | 23–13–3 | 49 | Recap |
| 40 | December 30 | New Jersey | 5–2 | Holtby | Capital One Arena | 18,506 | 24–13–3 | 51 | Recap |
References
- ESPNhttps://web.archive.org/web/20180424075412/https://www.espn.com/nhl/attendance/_/year/2018
- The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book/2013https://archive.org/details/nationalhockeyle0000unse_u6g5/page/127
- NHLhttps://www.nhl.com/news/alex-ovechkin-leads-nhl-in-goals-wins-rocket-richard-trophy/c-297794578
- hockey-referencehttps://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/WSH/2018.html
- wtophttps://wtop.com/washington-capitals/2018/04/caps-beat-blue-jackets-5-3-advance-to-eastern-conference-semifinals/
- NBC Sports Washingtonhttps://www.nbcsports.com/washington/capitals/capitals-face-penguins-nhl-playoffs-third-consecutive-year
- USA TODAYhttps://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2018/05/08/capitals-beat-penguins-in-ot-to-advance-to-conference-finals/34677589/
- NBC4 Washingtonhttps://www.nbcwashington.com/blogs/capital-games/Ovechkin-Capitals-Prepare-for-Biggest-Game-of-Life-483498831.html
- NBC Sports Washingtonhttps://www.nbcsports.com/washington/capitals/4-reasons-caps-beat-lightning-win-eastern-conference
- The New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/07/sports/stanley-cup-washington-capitals-vegas-golden-knights.html
- Fox Newshttps://www.foxnews.com/sports/washington-capitals-beat-vegas-golden-knights-to-win-stanley-cup
- ESPNhttp://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/23729499/alex-ovechkin-washington-capitals-wins-conn-smythe-trophy-playoffs-mvp
- NHLhttps://www.nhl.com/standings/2017/division
- NHLhttps://www.nhl.com/capitals/news/capitals-announce-2017-18-preseason-schedule/c-289820474
- NHLhttps://www.nhl.com/capitals/news/capitals-announce-2017-18-regular-season-schedule/c-290066750
- Hockey Referencehttps://www.hockey-reference.com/play-index/tgl_finder.cgi?request=1&match=season&year_min=&year_max=&team_id=&opp_id=&arena_id=&game_location=&is_playoffs=Y&playoff_round=&game_num_type=team&game_num_min=&game_num_max=&game_month=&game_result=&is_overtime=&is_shootout=&cup_winner=&c1stat=&c1comp=gt&c1val=&c2stat=&c2comp=gt&c2val=&c3stat=&c3comp=gt&c3val=&c4stat=&c4comp=gt&c4val=&order_by=date_game
- NHLhttps://www.nhl.com/capitals/stats/2017-2018
- NHLhttps://www.nhl.com/capitals/news/caps-trade-johansson-to-new-jersey/c-290277838
- NHLhttps://www.nhl.com/capitals/news/capitals-acquire-adam-chapie-and-joe-whitney-from-new-york-rangers/c-295792870
- NHLhttps://www.nhl.com/capitals/news/capitals-acquire-michal-kempny-from-chicago-blackhawks/c-296129438