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2023–24 Washington Capitals season

National Hockey League season From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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.[2]

Division4th Metropolitan
Conference8th Eastern
2023–24 record40–31–11
Home record22–12–7
Quick facts Washington Capitals, Division ...
2023–24 Washington Capitals
Division4th Metropolitan
Conference8th Eastern
2023–24 record40–31–11
Home record22–12–7
Road record18–19–4
Goals for220
Goals against257
Team information
General managerBrian MacLellan
CoachSpencer Carbery
CaptainAlexander Ovechkin
Alternate captainsNicklas Backstrom
John Carlson
T. J. Oshie
Tom Wilson
ArenaCapital One Arena
Average attendance17,841[1]
Minor league affiliatesHershey Bears (AHL)
South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL)
Team leaders
GoalsAlexander Ovechkin (31)
AssistsJohn Carlson (42)
PointsDylan Strome (67)
Penalty minutesTom Wilson (133)
Plus/minusAnthony Mantha (+5)
WinsCharlie Lindgren (25)
Goals against averageCharlie Lindgren (2.67)
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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,[3] 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. The 91 point total is the lowest point to make the playoffs in the east since the 2009–10 Philadelphia Flyers and the 2009–10 Montreal Canadiens.[4] During the playoffs, the Capitals faced a first round sweep by the Presidents' Trophy-winning New York Rangers, marking the first occurrence of such an event in franchise history.[5][6]

Standings

Divisional standings

More information Pos, GP ...
Metropolitan Division
Pos Team
 GP W L OTL RW GF GA GD Pts
1 p – New York Rangers 82 55 23 4 43 282 229 +53 114
2 x – Carolina Hurricanes 82 52 23 7 44 279 216 +63 111
3 x – New York Islanders 82 39 27 16 29 246 263 −17 94
4 x – Washington Capitals 82 40 31 11 32 220 257 −37 91
5 Pittsburgh Penguins 82 38 32 12 32 255 251 +4 88
6 Philadelphia Flyers 82 38 33 11 30 235 261 −26 87
7 New Jersey Devils 82 38 39 5 33 264 283 −19 81
8 Columbus Blue Jackets 82 27 43 12 21 237 300 −63 66
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Source: National Hockey League[7]
Rules for classification: 1) Fewer number of games played (GP, only during regular season); 2) Greater number of regulation wins (RW); 3) Greater number of wins in regulation and overtime, excluding shootout wins (ROW); 4) Greater number of total wins, including shootouts (W); 5) Greater number of points earned in head-to-head play; if teams played an uneven number of head-to-head games, the result of the first game on the home ice of the team with the extra home game is discarded; 6) Greater goal differential (GD); 7) Greater number of goals scored (GF)
p – Clinched Presidents' Trophy; x – Clinched playoff spot

Conference standings

More information Pos, Div ...
Eastern Conference Wild Card
Pos Div Team
 GP W L OTL RW GF GA GD Pts
1 AT x – Tampa Bay Lightning 82 45 29 8 37 291 268 +23 98
2 ME x – Washington Capitals 82 40 31 11 32 220 257 −37 91
3 AT Detroit Red Wings 82 41 32 9 27 278 274 +4 91
4 ME Pittsburgh Penguins 82 38 32 12 32 255 251 +4 88
5 ME Philadelphia Flyers 82 38 33 11 30 235 261 −26 87
6 AT Buffalo Sabres 82 39 37 6 33 246 244 +2 84
7 ME New Jersey Devils 82 38 39 5 33 264 283 −19 81
8 AT Ottawa Senators 82 37 41 4 25 255 281 −26 78
9 AT Montreal Canadiens 82 30 36 16 20 236 289 −53 76
10 ME Columbus Blue Jackets 82 27 43 12 21 237 300 −63 66
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Source: National Hockey League[8]
Rules for classification: 1) Fewer number of games played (GP, only during regular season); 2) Greater number of regulation wins (RW); 3) Greater number of wins in regulation and overtime, excluding shootout wins (ROW); 4) Greater number of total wins, including shootouts (W); 5) Greater number of points earned in head-to-head play; if teams played an uneven number of head-to-head games, the result of the first game on the home ice of the team with the extra home game is discarded; 6) Greater goal differential (GD); 7) Greater number of goals scored (GF)
x – Clinched playoff spot

Schedule and results

Preseason

The preseason schedule was released on June 21, 2023.[9]

More information #, Date ...
2023 preseason game log: 3–2–1 (Home: 1–1–1; Road: 2–1–0)
#DateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionLocationAttendanceRecord
1September 24Buffalo4–3WashingtonSOStevensonCapital One Arena12,6380–0–1
2September 28Detroit3–4WashingtonLindgrenCapital One Arena12,7461–0–1
3September 30Washington2–5DetroitShepardLittle Caesars Arena11,0501–1–1
4October 3Washington5–4BostonOTKuemperTD Garden17,5652–1–1
5October 5Washington4–2ColumbusLindgrenNationwide Arena11,4913–1–1
6October 7Columbus4–2WashingtonKuemperCapital One Arena12,9613–2–1
Legend:

  Win   Loss   Overtime/shootout loss

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Regular season

More information #, Date ...
2023–24 game log
October: 4–3–1 (Home: 3–2–0; Road: 1–1–1)
#DateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionLocationAttendanceRecordPointsRecap
1October 13Pittsburgh4–0WashingtonLindgrenCapital One Arena18,5730–1–00[10]
2October 16Calgary2–3WashingtonSOKuemperCapital One Arena16,4891–1–02[11]
3October 18Washington1–6OttawaKuemperCanadian Tire Centre15,0211–2–02[12]
4October 21Washington2–3MontrealOTKuemperBell Centre21,1051–2–13[13]
5October 24Toronto4–1WashingtonKuemperCapital One Arena16,6411–3–13[14]
6October 25Washington6–4New JerseyShepardPrudential Center16,1172–3–15[15]
7October 27Minnesota2–3WashingtonSOKuemperCapital One Arena16,6023–3–17[16]
8October 29San Jose1–3WashingtonKuemperCapital One Arena15,8564–3–19[17]
November: 8–3–1 (Home: 4–2–1; Road: 4–1–0)
#DateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionLocationAttendanceRecordPointsRecap
9November 2NY Islanders3–0WashingtonKuemperCapital One Arena16,2094–4–19[18]
10November 4Columbus1–2WashingtonLindgrenCapital One Arena18,5735–4–111[19]
11November 8Florida4–3WashingtonOTKuemperCapital One Arena16,1045–4–212[20]
12November 10Washington4–2New JerseyLindgrenPrudential Center16,5146–4–214[21]
13November 11Washington4–1NY IslandersShepardUBS Arena16,5197–4–216[22]
14November 14Vegas0–3WashingtonLindgrenCapital One Arena16,5988–4–218[23]
15November 18Columbus3–4WashingtonLindgrenCapital One Arena18,5739–4–220[24]
16November 22Buffalo3–4WashingtonOTKuemperCapital One Arena18,57310–4–222[25]
17November 24Edmonton5–0WashingtonLindgrenCapital One Arena18,57310–5–222[26]
18November 27Washington1–2San JoseKuemperSAP Center10,75910–6–222[27]
19November 29Washington2–1Los AngelesLindgrenCrypto.com Arena18,14511–6–224[28]
20November 30Washington5–4AnaheimKuemperHonda Center14,33612–6–226[29]
December: 5–5–4 (Home: 2–0–3; Road: 3–5–1)
#DateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionLocationAttendanceRecordPointsRecap
21December 2Washington1–4VegasKuemperT-Mobile Arena18,14012–7–226[30]
22December 4Washington0–6ArizonaKuemperMullett Arena4,60012–8–226[31]
23December 7Dallas5–4WashingtonSOLindgrenCapital One Arena15,85012–8–327[32]
24December 9NY Rangers0–4WashingtonLindgrenCapital One Arena18,57313–8–329[33]
25December 10Washington4–2ChicagoKuemperUnited Center18,25814–8–331[34]
26December 14Washington3–4PhiladelphiaSOLindgrenWells Fargo Center18,55714–8–432[35]
27December 16Washington1–3NashvilleLindgrenBridgestone Arena17,26714–9–432[36]
28December 17Washington2–1CarolinaSOKuemperPNC Arena18,70015–9–434[37]
29December 20NY Islanders2–3WashingtonOTKuemperCapital One Arena18,57316–9–436[38]
30December 21Washington3–2ColumbusOTLindgrenNationwide Arena18,17217–9–438[39]
31December 23Tampa Bay2–1WashingtonSOLindgrenCapital One Arena18,57317–9–539[40]
32December 27Washington1–5NY RangersKuemperMadison Square Garden18,00617–10–539[41]
33December 29Washington1–5NY IslandersKuemperUBS Arena17,25517–11–539[42]
34December 30Nashville3–2WashingtonSOShepardCapital One Arena18,57317–11–640[43]
January: 5–7–1 (Home: 4–3–0; Road: 1–4–1)
#DateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionLocationAttendanceRecordPointsRecap
35January 2Washington4–3PittsburghKuemperPPG Paints Arena18,19018–11–642[44]
36January 3New Jersey6–3WashingtonShepardCapital One Arena17,15618–12–642[45]
37January 5Carolina6–2WashingtonKuemperCapital One Arena18,57318–13–642[46]
38January 7Los Angeles3–4WashingtonKuemperCapital One Arena18,57319–13–644[47]
39January 11Seattle4–1WashingtonKuemperCapital One Arena17,93519–14–644[48]
40January 13NY Rangers2–3WashingtonLindgrenCapital One Arena18,57320–14–646[49]
41January 14Washington1–2NY RangersLindgrenMadison Square Garden18,00620–15–646[50]
42January 16Anaheim0–2WashingtonKuemperCapital One Arena15,96121–15–648[51]
43January 18St. Louis2–5WashingtonLindgrenCapital One Arena17,90922–15–650[52]
44January 20Washington0–3St. LouisLindgrenEnterprise Center18,09622–16–650[53]
45January 23Washington3–5MinnesotaKuemperXcel Energy Center18,43722–17–650[54]
46January 24Washington2–6ColoradoLindgrenBall Arena18,13622–18–650[55]
47January 27Washington4–5DallasOTLindgrenAmerican Airlines Center18,53222–18–751[56]
February: 5–4–2 (Home: 2–2–1; Road: 3–2–1)
#DateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionLocationAttendanceRecordPointsRecap
48February 6Montreal5–2WashingtonLindgrenCapital One Arena16,95922–19–751[57]
49February 8Washington2–4FloridaKuemperAmerant Bank Arena17,64522–20–751[58]
50February 10Washington3–0BostonLindgrenTD Garden17,85023–20–753[59]
51February 11Vancouver3–2WashingtonOTKuemperCapital One Arena18,57323–20–854[60]
52February 13Colorado6–3WashingtonLindgrenCapital One Arena17,87823–21–854[61]
53February 17Washington4–3MontrealKuemperBell Centre21,10524–21–856[62]
54February 20New Jersey2–6WashingtonLindgrenCapital One Arena17,23225–21–858[63]
55February 22Washington5–3Tampa BayLindgrenAmalie Arena19,09226–21–860[64]
56February 24Washington2–3FloridaOTLindgrenAmerant Bank Arena19,88726–21–961[65]
57February 26Ottawa3–6WashingtonKuemperCapital One Arena17,29627–21–963[66]
58February 27Washington3–8DetroitLindgrenLittle Caesars Arena19,51527–22–963[67]
March: 9–5–1 (Home: 5–2–1; Road: 4–3–0)
#DateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionLocationAttendanceRecordPointsRecap
59March 1Philadelphia2–5WashingtonLindgrenCapital One Arena18,57328–22–965[68]
60March 3Arizona5–2WashingtonLindgrenCapital One Arena18,57328–23–965[69]
61March 7Washington6–0PittsburghLindgrenPPG Paints Arena17,09329–23–967[70]
62March 9Chicago1–4WashingtonLindgrenCapital One Arena18,57330–23–969[71]
63March 11Washington0–3WinnipegLindgrenCanada Life Centre13,71630–24–969[72]
64March 13Washington2–7EdmontonKuemperRogers Place18,34730–25–969[73]
65March 14Washington2–1SeattleLindgrenClimate Pledge Arena17,15131–25–971[74]
66March 16Washington2–1VancouverLindgrenRogers Arena18,85932–25–973[75]
67March 18Washington5–2CalgaryLindgrenScotiabank Saddledome16,79333–25–975[76]
68March 20Toronto7–3WashingtonLindgrenCapital One Arena17,72733–26–975[77]
69March 22Carolina6–7WashingtonSOLindgrenCapital One Arena18,57334–26–977[78]
70March 24Winnipeg0–3WashingtonLindgrenCapital One Arena18,57335–26–979[79]
71March 26Detroit3–4WashingtonOTLindgrenCapital One Arena18,57336–26–981[80]
72March 28Washington1–5TorontoLindgrenScotiabank Arena18,57736–27–981[81]
73March 30Boston3–2WashingtonSOLindgrenCapital One Arena18,57336–27–1082[82]
April: 4–4–1 (Home: 2–1–1; Road: 2–3–0)
#DateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionLocationAttendanceRecordPointsRecap
74April 2Washington2–6BuffaloLindgrenKeyBank Center14,39036–28–1082[83]
75April 4Pittsburgh4–1WashingtonLindgrenCapital One Arena18,57336–29–1082[84]
76April 5Washington2–4CarolinaKuemperPNC Arena18,72436–30–1082[85]
77April 7Ottawa3–2WashingtonOTLindgrenCapital One Arena17,90236–30–1183[86]
78April 9Washington2–1DetroitLindgrenLittle Caesars Arena19,51537–30–1185[87]
79April 11Washington2–4BuffaloLindgrenKeyBank Center15,45437–31–1185[88]
80April 13Tampa Bay2–4WashingtonLindgrenCapital One Arena18,57338–31–1187[89]
81April 15Boston0–2WashingtonLindgrenCapital One Arena18,57339–31–1189[90]
82April 16Washington2–1PhiladelphiaLindgrenWells Fargo Center19,41140–31–1191[91]

  Win (2 Points)   Loss (0 points)   Overtime/shootout loss (1 point)

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Playoffs

Main article: 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs
More information 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, # ...
2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Eastern Conference first round vs. (M1) New York Rangers: New York won 4–0
#DateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionAttendanceSeriesRecap
1April 21Washington1–4NY RangersLindgren18,0060–1[92]
2April 23Washington3–4NY RangersLindgren18,0060–2[93]
3April 26NY Rangers3–1WashingtonLindgren18,5730–3[94]
4April 28NY Rangers4–2WashingtonLindgren18,5730–4[95]

  Win   Loss

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Player stats

As of April 28, 2024

Skaters

More information Player, GP ...
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Goaltenders

More information Player, GP ...
Regular season[98]
Player GP GS TOI W L OT GA GAA SA SV% SO G A PIM
Charlie Lindgren50482,852:23251671272.671,431.9116000
Darcy Kuemper33301,866:32131431033.31940.8901010
Hunter Shepard44244:50211133.19123.8940000
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More information Player, GP ...
Playoffs[99]
Player GP GS TOI W L GA GAA SA SV% SO G A PIM
Charlie Lindgren44234:3104143.58103.8640000
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†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining the Capitals. Stats reflect time with the Capitals only.
‡No longer with the Capitals.

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

More information Date, Details ...
DateDetailsRef
June 29, 2023 (2023-06-29) To San Jose Sharks
7th-round pick in 2025		 To Washington Capitals
PIT 7th-round pick in 2023		 [100]
July 1, 2023 (2023-07-01) To Montreal Canadiens
MIN 3rd-round pick in 2024
7th-round pick in 2024		 To Washington Capitals
Joel Edmundson (50% retained)		 [101]
March 5, 2024 (2024-03-05) To Vegas Golden Knights
Anthony Mantha (50% retained)		 To Washington Capitals
2nd-round pick in 2024
4th-round pick in 2026		 [102]
March 7, 2024 (2024-03-07) To Toronto Maple Leafs
Joel Edmundson (50% retained)		 To Washington Capitals
NYI 3rd-round pick in 2024
CHI 5th-round pick in 2025		 [103]
March 8, 2024 (2024-03-08) To Carolina Hurricanes
Evgeny Kuznetsov (50% retained)		 To Washington Capitals
3rd-round pick in 2025		 [104]
June 19, 2024 (2024-06-19) To Los Angeles Kings
Darcy Kuemper		 To Washington Capitals
Pierre-Luc Dubois		 [105]
June 27, 2024 (2024-06-27) To Calgary Flames
COL 2nd-round pick in 2025		 To Washington Capitals
Andrew Mangiapane		 [106]
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Players acquired

More information Date, Player ...
DatePlayerFormer teamTermViaRef
July 1, 2023 (2023-07-01)Max PaciorettyCarolina Hurricanes1-yearFree agency[107]
July 2, 2023 (2023-07-02)Pierrick DubeLaval Rocket (AHL)2-year†Free agency[108]
Matthew PhillipsCalgary Flames1-yearFree agency[108]
July 3, 2023 (2023-07-03)Alex LimogesWinnipeg Jets1-yearFree agency[109]
July 5, 2023 (2023-07-05)Chase PriskieAnaheim Ducks1-yearFree agency[110]
December 28, 2023 (2023-12-28)Ethan BearVancouver Canucks2-yearFree agency[111]
March 5, 2024 (2024-03-05)Matthew PhillipsPittsburgh PenguinsWaivers[112]
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Players lost

More information Date, Player ...
DatePlayerNew teamTermViaRef
July 1, 2023 (2023-07-01)Connor BrownEdmonton Oilers1-yearFree-agency[113]
Matt IrwinVancouver Canucks1-yearFree-agency[114]
Garrett PilonOttawa Senators1-yearFree-agency[115]
Conor ShearyTampa Bay Lightning3-yearFree-agency[116]
Craig SmithDallas Stars1-yearFree-agency[117]
July 6, 2023 (2023-07-06)Zachary FucaleTraktor Chelyabinsk (KHL)2-yearFree-agency[118]
July 28, 2023 (2023-07-28)Gabriel CarlssonVäxjö Lakers (SHL)3-yearFree-agency[119]
July 31, 2023 (2023-07-31)Bobby NardellaHV71 (SHL)1-yearFree-agency[120]
February 16, 2024 (2024-02-16)Matthew PhillipsPittsburgh PenguinsWaivers[121]
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Signings

More information Date, Player ...
DatePlayerTermRef
July 2, 2023 (2023-07-02)Hunter Shepard1-year[108]
Dylan McIlrath2-year[108]
July 4, 2023 (2023-07-04)Martin Fehervary3-year[122]
Riley Sutter1-year[123]
July 7, 2023 (2023-07-07)Andrew Cristall3-year†[124]
August 4, 2023 (2023-08-04)Tom Wilson7-year‡[125]
December 12, 2023 (2023-12-12)Clay Stevenson2-year‡[126]
March 6, 2024 (2024-03-06)Rasmus Sandin5-year[127]
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Draft picks

See also: List of Washington Capitals 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.

More information Round, # ...
Round # Player Pos Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)
1 8 Ryan Leonard RW  United States U.S NTDP (USHL)
2 40 Andrew Cristall LW  Canada Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
4 104 Patrick Thomas C  Canada Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL)
5 136 Cameron Allen D  Canada Guelph Storm (OHL)
7 200 Brett Hyland C  Canada Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
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Notes:

References

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