2003 Eastern Conference Finals Game 7 vs Carolina

Lore & Background

The Capitals were founded in 1974 as an expansion team. They 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 Final. They won their first Stanley Cup in the 2017–18 season.

Reader's Guide

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. The team has qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs 33 times in 49 completed seasons, making two Stanley Cup Final appearances during the 1997–98 and 2017–18 seasons.

Did You Know?

• The Capitals had an 8–67–5 record and lost 37 straight road games in their inaugural season.
• The Capitals won three Presidents' Trophies in the 2009–10, 2015–16 and 2016–17 seasons.
• The 2003 Eastern Conference Finals did not involve the Washington Capitals; the Capitals did not reach the Eastern Conference Finals in 2003.