The Capitals opened their inaugural season on October 9, 1974 with a 6-3 loss to the New York Rangers in front of 17,500 fans and finished the season by setting records for the fewest wins, most consecutive losses, most losses overall, and most goals against. Much to the chagrin of Pollin and anyone who had paid for a ticket to see the Washington Capitals, the future looked bleak.
The Washington Capitals had a one way ticket to the top as they moved up to second place in the Patrick Division. Langway won his second Norris Trophy, while Jarvis was awarded the Selke Trophy. Al Jensen and Pat Riggin won the Jennings Trophy as worldclass goaltenders in the making. The Jack Adams award was rightfully placed in the hands of coach Bryan Murray.
The 1985-86 season was a ticket to more success when the Capitals finished with 50 wins and 107 points. With players like Dave Christian, Mike Gartner, Bob Carpenter and crack goal tending by Al Jensen, it would have appeared that the Capitals were destined for ticket to the Stanley Cup finals. However, the Capitals were eliminatedby the New York the Rangers.
During the 1986-87 season, with a 38-32-10 record, the Capitals advanced to the playoffs to play against the New York Islanders but return home on anything but a first class ticket.
The Washington Capitals upgraded to a new arena after playing 24 seasons in Landover Maryland. Tickets to the new MCI Center, located in downtown Washington, went on sale in time for the 1997-98 season. The season was golden and they faced off against the legendary Detroit Red Wings in the Stanley Cup finals. Sadly, Detroit took out Washington in a fast sweep.
The Capitals didn't make the playoffs the following year and in May of 1999, the Capitals were sold to an investment group. The team went from 68 points in 1998-99 and finished with 102 points and lead the Southeast Division for the 1999-2000 season. Players such as Peter Bondra, Chris Simon, and Adam Oates rose to the occasion in style. Oates led the team in scoring and Kolzig won the Vezina Trophy. The Caps faced the Penguins in the playoffs and were, yet again, eliminated in the first round. Since then, the Washington Capital have provided a ticket for hope to their fans and continue on the quest of their Stanley Cup dream.
In 1982, David Poile took over as the youngest general manager in the history of the National Hockey League. He immediately traded Rick Green and Ryan Walter to Montreal in return for Dough Jarvis, Craig Lauglin and Rod Langway. This move proved effective. That season the Capitals jumped to 3rd place in the Patrick Division to a 39-25-16 record with 94 points. Soon after the upturn, Rod Langway won the Norris Trophy.