Washington Capitals Virtual Hockey Museum

January 1

January 1, 2011 - The Capitals beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-1 in the first primetime Winter Classic at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.

All three Capitals goal pucks from the 2011 Winter Classic.

January 1, 2015 - The Capitals host the Winter Classic at Nationals Park. They beat the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2.

Matt Niskanen wore this jersey during the second period of the 2015 Winter Classic.

January 4

January 4, 1986 - Dave Christian has 2 goals and 3 assists as the Caps beat the Devils 9-3. This is the only 5 point game of Dave's career. Mike Gartner and Bengt Gustafsson each have 4 points and the two teams combine for six power play goals (3 by each team).

Jersey worn by Dave Christian during his 5 point game on January 4, 1986.

January 5

January 5, 2020 - Lars Eller scores at 2:01 of overtime to complete one of the greatest comebacks in team history. Down 3-2 with under two minutes to go in the third period, the Caps pull Braden Holtby in an attempt to tie the game, but Logan Couture scores an empty-netter to make it 4-2 with exactly 60 seconds left. Ten seconds later, Lars Eller's pass hits a Shark skate and ends up on the stick of Jakub Vrana who scores to make it 4-3. Braden Holtby gets pulled again and with just over 20 seconds, Kuznetsov makes a behind-the-back pass to the slot right to T.J. Oshie who hits the top corner with a one-timer. In overtime, Holtby throws a long pass off the boards which finds John Carlson at center ice in a 2-on-1 with Lars Eller. Eller collects a pass and scores to win the game 5-4.

Jersey worn by Lars Eller when he scored in overtime to beat the San Jose Sharks on January 5, 2020.

January 8

January 8, 1984 - Bengt Gustafsson scores 5 goals as the Capitals rout the Flyers 7-1 in Philadelphia. Gustafsson is the first Capital to ever score 5 goals in a game and only Peter Bondra has matched him since. This game is also the start of a 16-1-1 streak for the Caps, one of the best in team history.

Jersey worn by Bengt Gustafsson on January 8, 1984 during his 5 goal game.

January 9

January 9, 1998 - Dale Hunter becomes the first player in NHL history to record 1000 points and 3000 penalty minutes. He scores his 1000th NHL point with 3 assists in a 4-1 win over the Flyers.

Jersey worn by Dale Hunter when he scored his 1000th NHL point.

January 16

January 16, 2017 - Nicklas Backstrom is named first star of the week for January 9-15. During that week he had 3 goals and 7 assists for 10 points in 4 games. One of the assists during the week was on Alex Ovechkin's 1000th career point. The Caps won all 4 games they played and were in the midst of a 9 game win streak.

Goal puck scored by Nicklas Backstrom on January 9, 2017 - his first point of the week after which he was named the NHL's 1st Star of the Week. Alex Ovechkin assisted on the goal for his 997th career point.

January 17

January 17, 1985 - Mike Gartner has a Gordie Howe hat trick as the Caps beat the Penguins 6-2. He fights Mitch Lamoureux just 1:37 into the game, then scores the Capitals' first goal of the game at 13:15 of the first period. He completes the trick with an assist on Bobby Carpenter's 33rd goal of the season in the third.

Jersey worn by Mike Gartner during his Gordie Howe hat trick on January 17, 1985.

January 18

January 18, 1983 - Bengt Gustafsson scores 5 seconds into the third period to score the fastest goal from the start of a period in Capitals history. The Caps beat the Flyers 4-1.

Jersey worn by Bengt Gustafsson when he scored the fastest goal from the start of a period in Capitals history.

January 24

January 24, 1992 - The Capitals wear red at home for the first time as all NHL teams switch and wear white on the road and their colors at home for the rest of the regular season in coordination with the NHL's 75th anniversary. The Caps lose 5-2 to the Devils.

Jersey worn by Michal Pivonka on January 24, 1992.

January 27

January 27, 1985 - The Caps beat the Islanders 5-2 and Mike Gartner ties the club record for game winning goals with his 7th of the season. He would finish the season with 11, which is currently the second most in team history (Bondra had 13 in 1997-98).

Jersey worn by Mike Gartner on January 27, 1985.

January 28

January 28, 2000 - Calle Johansson scores at 4:59 of overtime to beat the Phoenix Coyotes 3-2.

Jersey worn by Calle Johansson on January 28, 2000.

January 30

January 30, 2000 - The Caps are outshot 30-17 by the Flyers, but Olaf Kolzig stops all 30 and the Caps win 2-0. This is the 11 straight game in which Kolzig is unbeaten. Over the 11 game stretch, he is 10-0-1, with a .931 save percentage and a 1.69 GAA. The Caps wear their black alternate jerseys in 4 of those 11 games.

Jersey worn by Olaf Kolzig during his shutout on January 30, 2000.

February 1

February 1, 2016 - Evgeny Kuznetsov is named the NHL's first star for the month of January 2016. In the month, he has 4 goals and 12 assists for 16 points in 10 games.

Gloves worn by Evgeny Kuznetsov from mid-November through January 2016.

February 4

February 4, 2010 - The Capitals come from behind to beat the New York Rangers 6-5. The Caps were down 5-3 with just 15 seconds remaining in the second period when Nicklas Backstrom intercepts a bad pass in his own zone. He makes a rink-wide pass to Alex Ovechkin who takes the puck in on a 2-on-2. Alex fakes a pass, brings the puck through the defender's legs and one-hands a shot past the goaltender for his 500th NHL point in his just his 373rd NHL game. Backstrom then assists on Tom Poti's goal just 59 seconds into the third to tie the game and then he scores the game winner later in the third. Backstrom has 1 goal and 4 assists for the third 5-point game of his career.

The puck from Nicklas Backstrom's game-winning goal against the Rangers on February 4, 2010.

Jersey worn by Nicklas Backstrom on February 4, 2010 when he assisted on Alex Ovechkin's 500th NHL point and then scored the game-winning goal in a 6-5 comeback win.

February 5

February 5, 1983 - Bengt Gustafsson has 3 assists in a 5-4 comeback win at home against the New Jersey Devils. The Caps are down 3-1 in the second period and then midway through the third are down 4-3. Gustafsson assists on a Bobby Carpenter goal at 13:32 and then assisted on a Greg Theberge goal at 15:56 to give the Caps the lead for good.

Jersey worn by Bengt Gustafsson on February 5, 1983.

February 7

February 7, 2010 - An epic snowstorm had just blanketed the nation's capital with two feet of snow and it is Super Bowl Sunday, but that's nothing compared to the game taking place at Verizon Center. The Penguins get off to a good start with Sidney Crosby scoring two goals in the first and Jordan Staal scoring two more in the second. Alex Ovechkin has one in between and the Penguins have themselves a 4-1 lead late in the second. Eric Fehr adds a goal just before the end of the period and it's 4-2 at the start of the third. Then Alex Ovechkin changes "#Snowmageddon" into "#Snowvechkin" by scoring twice in the third to tie it up and complete his 10th career hat trick. In overtime Alex rings a shot of the post and Mike Knuble is there to knock in the rebound and end one of the greatest comebacks of the Ovechkin era. It is also the 14th straight win for the Capitals, the longest win streak in franchise history.

Jersey worn by Alex Ovechkin in the 5-4 win against the Penguins in the game known as #Snowvechkin on February 7, 2010.

February 9

February 9, 1992 - Michal Pivonka has his second 4-assist game in a row helping the Caps to a 6-2 win over the San Jose Sharks. Two days earlier, Pivonka's 4 assists helped the Caps beat the Rangers by the same score, 6-2.

Jersey worn by Michal Pivonka on February 9, 1992.

February 12

February 12, 1985 - For the first time since the Captials joined the NHL, they send more than just one representative to the NHL's All Star game. Rod Langway, Mike Gartner, Bobby Carpenter, and Scott Stevens help the Wales Conference to a 6-4 win at the 37th NHL All-Star game, which is played in Calgary, Alberta. Mike Gartner scores the final goal for the Wales Conference to seal the win.

Bobby Carpenter's 1985 All Star game jersey.

February 14

February 14, 2021 - Nicklas Backstrom scores his 250th career goal in a 6-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. He becomes only the 4th player to score 250 or more goals as a Capital.

Stick used by Nicklas Backstrom to record his 250th career goal on February 14, 2021.

February 18

February 18, 2009 - Alex Ovechkin scores one of the most amazing goals in team history in a game against the Montreal Canadiens. Ten minutes into the opening period, Montreal is leaving their zone on a pretty routine breakout, when one of the Montreal defensemen sends a pass just a bit too far for Roman Hamrlik to reel in. Alex is just coming on the ice from the opposite side as the puck goes off the boards, just a few feet in front of Hamrlik's stick. Alex chips the puck off the boards, does a spin-a-rama around Hamrlik, collects the puck and skates in on Carey Price with Kyle Chipchura closing in. Alex leans in as Chipchura hauls him down, but Alex is able to keep one hand on his stick and flip the puck just past Price's skate and into the net.

The puck from Alex Ovechkin's goal against Montreal on February 18, 2009.

February 19

February 19, 1980 - The Capitals beat the Montreal Canadiens for the first time ever. The Capitals had played the Montreal Canadiens 34 times from October 1974 to February 1980 without a single victory. Then on February 19, 1980 before a home crowd of 13,551, they finally beat the Canadiens. This isn't a case where the Canadiens come out flat or take the Caps lightly. They play hard from the drop of the puck, but Wayne Stephenson has a great night, stopping 31 of the 32 shots he faces. Robert Picard, who took a puck to the face in warmups and received a dozen stitches in the locker room, comes back to open the scoring at 10:53 of the second period. In the third period, the play is controlled by Montreal, as Washington only manages 3 shots on goal. However, the scoring is all Washington as they score on 2 of those 3 shots to win, 3-1.

Jersey worn by Robert Picard during the Caps first win over the Canadiens.

February 21

February 21, 1993 - Don Beaupre becomes the all-time winningest goaltender in Capitals history with his 95th win as a Capital in a 5-2 win over the St. Louis Blues. He would increase the total to 128 before being traded to the Ottawa Senators. That record stands for 8 years until being broken by Olaf Kolzig.

Jersey worn by Don Beaupre when he set the Caps wins record.

February 24

February 24, 1991 - Mike Ridley extends his point streak to 13 games (the longest of his career) with a goal in a 5-5 tie against the Penguins.

Jersey worn by Mike Ridley on February 24, 1991.

February 25

February 25, 1982 - Bobby Carpenter has the first hat trick of his career with a 4-goal game against the St. Louis Blues. St. Louis jumps out to a quick 1-0 lead, but the Caps score 9 straight to win 9-1. After the Caps took a 2-1 lead in the second, Carpenter would get slashed by Jim Nill of the Blues. After knocking the stick out of Nill's hands, they both threw some punches and Carpenter came away with a black eye. Bobby would get his revenge on the scoresheet, scoring three straight goals and adding a fourth late in the third.

Jersey worn by Bobby Carpenter on February 25, 1981.

February 25, 2023 - In T.J. Oshie's 500th game as a Washington Capital, he scored a goal and got into a fight in the first 10 minutes. In the second period, he scored again and then assisted on Sonny Milano's goal to complete the first and only "Gordie Howe hat trick" of his career. The Caps would go on to beat the Rangers 6-3.

Goal puck scored by Sonny Milano and assisted by T.J. Oshie to complete T.J.'s first Gordie Howe hat trick.

February 27

February 27, 1982 - In a 7-1 win over the Hartford Whalers, Chris Valentine ties an NHL record, becoming only the 4th player to record 4 power play goals in a single game. Chris still holds this record (along with 7 others). In addition, two other Capital records are set - Dennis Maruk ties the club record for assists in a season with his 59th, which he would extend to 76 by season's end. As a team, the Capitals set a franchise record by recording 24 shots on goal in the second period (this record has since been broken).

Jersey worn by Chris Valentine on February 27, 1981.

March 3

March 3, 2018 - The Capitals beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-2 in an outdoor game at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. The game is part of the NHL's Stadium Series.

Christian Djoos wore this jersey during the second period of the Capitals' 2018 Stadium Series game.

March 6

March 6, 2010 - Eric Fehr scores the game-winning goal as the Caps beat the Rangers 2-0. For this game, the Capitals wear a special patch on their jerseys to celebrate 35 seasons of hockey in Washington D.C.

Jersey worn by Eric Fehr on March 6, 2010.

March 8

March 8, 1980 - Robert Picard has 1 goal, 4 assists and 9 minutes in penalties, including a fight with former teammate Tommy Rowe as the Caps beat the Whalers 9-5. This is the first Gordie Howe hat trick of his career. It is also the first time a Capital defenseman has 5 points in a single game.

Jersey worn by Robert Picard during the Caps' 9-5 win over the Whalers on March 8, 1980.

March 9

March 9, 1989 - Geoff Courtnall has his first hat trick as a Capital with 3 goals and an assist in a 7-2 win over the Boston Bruins.

Jersey worn by Geoff Courtnall on March 9, 1989.

March 11

March 11, 1989 - Dino Ciccarelli scores his first goal as a Capital as the Caps take over first place in the Patrick Division. 1989 would be the only year the Caps would finish as regular season division champions of the old Patrick Division.

Jersey worn by Dino Ciccarelli on March 11, 1989.

March 14

March 14, 2010 - Alex Ovechkin is given a five minute major for boarding and a game misconduct in the first period and the Chicago Blackhawks score three times to take a 3-0 lead into the third period. The Capitals score three times in the third to send the game into overtime where Nicklas Backstrom scores the game-winner.

Jersey worn by Nicklas Backstrom on March 14, 2010 when he scored two goals and added an assist in the Caps' 4-3 comeback win over the Chicago Blackhawks.

March 14, 2019 - Tom Wilson records his first 20-goal season with a goal at 9:48 of the second period in a 5-2 win over the Flyers.

Puck scored by Tom Wilson on March 14, 2019 for his 20th goal.

March 15

March 15, 2015 - Nicklas Backstrom becomes the Capitals all-time assist leader, passing Michal Pivonka's 418 assists when he assists on John Carlson's power play goal at 12:43 of the first period in a game against the Boston Bruins.

Jersey worn by Nicklas Backstrom when he broke the Capitals all-time assist record.

March 18

March 18, 2017 - After losing 5 of the last 6 games, T.J. Oshie has a hat trick and adds an assist in a 5-3 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning to spark a 6 game winning streak that will cement the President's Trophy for the second straight season.

Jersey worn by T.J. Oshie on March 18, 2017.

March 19

March 19, 1996 - Mark Tinordi plays in his 500th NHL game. It is a 2-1 loss to the Anaheim Mighty Ducks.

Jersey worn by Mark Tinordi in his 500th NHL game.

March 22

March 22, 1994 - Joe Juneau has a goal and 2 assists in his first game as a Capital. He would have 13 points in his 11 games with the Caps that season and go on to lead the Caps past the Penguins in the playoffs for the first time.

Jersey worn by Joe Juneau on March 22, 1994.

March 23

March 23, 1993 - Kevin Hatcher becomes the seventh defenseman in NHL history to score 30 goals in a season. He scores his 30th at 18:50 of the first period in a 5-1 win over the Quebec Nordiques. The goal was assisted by Peter Bondra and Dmitri Khristich. Bondra and Khristich would also score goals in the game - each of them scoring their 31st goals of the season.

This jersey may have been worn by Kevin Hatcher on March 23, 1993, but it was definitely worn at some point during the 1992-93 season in which he scored 34 goals.

March 26

March 26, 1996 - Peter Bondra scores 3 goals in a span of 4:22 of the third period in a 7-1 win over the New York Islanders.

Jersey worn by Peter Bondra on March 26, 1996.

March 26, 2022 - The Capitals recognize Nicklas Backstrom's 1000th NHL point with a ceremony and souvenir giveaway before their game with the New Jersey Devils. When Nick scores at 6:56 of the third periord to give the Caps a 3-2 lead, thousands of the apple souvenirs end up on the ice.

Helmet worn by Nicklas Backstrom on March 26, 2022 along with a souvenir apple that was given to fans attending the game.

March 27

March 27, 1982 - Randy Holt is assessed 5 penalties on the same play (slashing, unsportsmanlike conduct, and 3 misconducts) for 34 total penalty minutes in a 4-4 tie against Philadelphia. The teams combine for 240 PIMs in total as 6 fighting majors and 18 misconducts are doled out in a second period brawl.

Jersey worn by Randy Holt on March 27, 1982.

March 28

March 28, 1975 - The Capitals get their only win of the season on the road. It is their last real chance to get a road win with a game agains the Oakland Seals, who come into the game with only 19 wins. The Caps only other road games left are in Montreal and Detroit. The Caps take a quick 2-0 lead, but the Seals tie it up at 3-3 with 15 minutes left in the third. Nelson Pyatt scores twice in the third to seal the victory. The team is so excited after the win that they pick up a trash can in the dressing room and parade it around like the Stanley Cup!

Jersey worn by Tommy Williams in the Capitals only road win of the 1974-75 season.

March 29

March 29, 1981 - Ryan Walter has a Gordie Howe hat trick with a goal, assist and a fight (vs. Bobby Nystrom) as Caps lose 5-4 to the Islanders.

Jersey worn by Ryan Walter on March 29, 1981.

March 29, 1996 - Jim Carey posts his ninth shutout of the season in a 5-0 win over the Ottawa Senators. It is his second shutout in a row and the most in a single season by any goalie since Ken Dryden's 10 shutouts in 1976-77. It is also a Capitals franchise record (since tied by Braden Holtby during the 2014-15 season). Jim would continue the shutout streak into the following game giving up a goal at 12:00 of the third period to end the streak at 200:04, less than 4 minutes shy of the Capitals all-time record set by Pat Riggin in 1984.

Stick used by Jim Carey to record his 9th shutout of the season on March 29, 1996.

April 1

April 1, 1979 - The Capitals were 0-16-3 against the New York Islanders before finally beating them for the first time on April 1, 1979. The Caps dominate the first period, building a 3-0 lead and outshooting the Islanders 17-7. They extend their lead in the second on goals by Rolf Edberg (2) and Guy Charron to make it 6-1. The Islanders make it close in the third by scoring three unanswered goals, but Washington is able to hang on to a 6-4 victory.

Jersey worn by Guy Charron on April 1, 1979 and throughout the 1978-79 season.

April 1, 1984 - The Capitals beat the Philadelphia Flyers 4-1 on the final day of the 1983-84 regular season to finish with the fewest goals allowed in the entire league. The Capitals give up 226 goals against - 21 fewer than the second place Buffalo Sabres. This earns Al Jensen and Pat Riggin the William Jennings Trophy.

Plaque awarded to Al Jensen for winning the 1983-84 William Jennings Trophy.

April 3

April 3, 1986 - Lou Franceschetti has a goal and an assist, including the game-winning goal as the Capitals win their 50th game of the year for the first time in club history. Dave Christian also scores his 40th goal of the season in the 4-2 win against the Whalers. It is the only 40 goal season of his career.

Jersey worn by Lou Franceschetti on April 3, 1986. The jersey had the numbers changed from 32 to 25 for the 1987-88 preseason.

Jersey worn by Dave Christian on April 3, 1986 when he scored his 40th goal of the season.

April 3, 1996 - Peter Bondra scores his 47th, 48th, 49th and 50th goals in a 5-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres. He becomes only the fourth Capital to record 50 goals in a season.

Jersey worn by Peter Bondra on April 3, 1996 when he scored his 50th goal of the season.

April 7

April 7, 1985 - Rod Langway finishes the season as a +36 breaking the previous club record of +29 set by Bengt Gustafsson the previous year. Alan Haworth would tie the record the next season, but no one would surpass it for another 25 years. Mike Gartner scores his 49th and 50th goals of the season and has points 99, 100, 101 and 102 as the Caps beat the Penguins 7-3. This would be Mike's only 50-goal season and his only 100-point season.

Jersey worn by Rod Langway on April 7, 1985 and throughout the 1984-85 season.

Jersey worn by Mike Gartner when he scored his 50th goal and 100th point on April 7, 1985.

April 8

April 8, 1979 - Caps close out the 78-79 season with 5-2 win over the Penguins. They finish in fourth place in the Norris Division with a record of 24-41-15. Rick Green has 3 assists in the game. It is the first 3 point game of his career.

Jersey worn by Rick Green on April 8, 1979.

April 8, 1993 - Sylvain Cote scores his 20th goal of the season. For the first time ever in the NHL, a team has 3 defensemen score 20 goals (Hatcher 34, Iafrate 25, Cote 21).

Jersey worn by Sylvain Cote on April 8, 1993.

April 8, 2021 - T.J. Oshie records his 250th NHL goal in a 4-2 loss to the Boston Bruins. Dunkin Donuts creates a special doughnut to celebrate the achievement.

Goal puck scored by T.J. Oshie on April 8, 2021 for his 250th NHL goal and the doughnut created by Dunkin Donuts to celebrate the achievement.

April 11

April 11, 2008 - Alexander Ovechkin plays in his first career playoff game. The Capitals come back from a 4-2 deficit in the third to tie the game and with under 5 minutes left, Ovechkin strips two defenders of the puck and beats Martin Biron to score the game-winner.

Alex Ovechkin's game-winning goal in his first career playoff game.

Jersey worn by Alex Ovechkin on April 11, 2008 when he scored the game-winning goal in his first career playoff game.

April 15

April 15, 2021 - Nicklas Backstrom plays in his 1000th NHL game. The entire team wears #19 Backstrom jerseys in warmpus. The celebration doesn't last long as the Caps lose the game to the Buffalo Sabres 5-2.

Gloves worn by Nicklas Backstrom during his 1000th NHL game on April 15, 2021.

April 17

April 17, 2010 - Nicklas Backstrom has the first hat trick of his career as the Caps beat the Montreal Canadiens 6-5 in overtime of Game 2 of their first round playoff series. Near the end of the second period, with the Caps down 4-1, Backstrom scores to tighten the game at 4-2. After an Ovechkin goal early in the third, Backstrom ties it up at 4 midway through the third. After another Montreal goal, Nick assists on a John Carlson goal with 1:21 left in regulation. He then ends the game just 31 seconds into overtime with the final goal of his hat trick.

Puck scored by Nicklas Backstrom at 9:37 of the third period on April 17, 2010. This was the second goal in his first career hat trick.

April 19

April 19, 2012 - Braden Holtby stops 44 of Boston's 45 shots as the Caps even their first round playoff series at 2-2 with a 2-1 win over the defending Stanley Cup champions. The Caps would go on to win the series on a dramatic overtime winner by Joel Ward in Game 7.

Jersey worn by Braden Holtby for home games throughout the 2011-12 playoffs.

April 25

April 25, 2012 - Joel Ward scores at 2:57 of the first overtime to eliminate the defending Cup champion Boston Bruins in game 7 of the 2012 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. It is one of only two game 7 overtime goals in Capitals history - the other by Dale Hunter on April 16, 1988 against the Flyers.

Jersey worn by Joel Ward on April 25, 2012.

April 27

April 27, 1994 - Joe Juneau has a goal and an assist as the Capitals eliminate the Penguins in game 6 of the 1994 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.

Jersey worn by Joe Juneau on April 27, 1994.

April 28

April 28, 1993 - Dale Hunter checks a celebrating Pierre Turgeon into the boards after Turgeon scores a third period goal in game 6 of the 1993 Patrick Division Semifinals. The Caps would lose the game 5-3 (and the series, 4 games to 2) and Dale would receive a 21 game suspension from the league to start the 1993-94 season.

Jersey worn by Dale Hunter throughout the 1993 playoffs including April 28 when he laid his infamous hit on Pierre Turgeon.

April 28, 2009 - The Capitals advance past the first round of the playoffs for the first time in 11 years. After being down in the series 2-0 and 3-1, the Caps win three straight against the New York Rangers. Game 7 at home featured a dramatic, late third-period goal by Sergei Fedorov to break a 1-1 tie and send the Capitals into the second round. Alexander Semin led the Caps in both goals (5) and points (8) for the series.

Jersey worn by Alexander Semin throughout the 2009 playoffs.

May 7

May 7, 2018 - The Capitals beat the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 6 of the 2018 Eastern Conference Semifinals in overtime to eliminate the Penguins and move to the Conference Finals for the first time in 20 years. Each team scores only once during regulation. Just over five minutes into overtime, Alex Ovechkin grabs a loose puck at center ice and finds Evgeny Kuznetsov slipping behind the defense. He hits Kuzy with a perfect pass and Kuzy takes it in and scores.

Jersey worn by Evgeny Kuznetsov when he eliminated the Penguins at 5:37 of overtime in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

May 12

May 12, 1995 - Jim Carey backstops the Caps to their second straight 6-2 win at home over the Penguins to take a 3-1 lead in the series. The Capitals would go on to lose three straight to fall to the Penguins 4 games to 3.

Jersey worn by Jim Carey for all three home games of the 1995 playoffs.

May 19

May 19, 2021 - The 2020-21 NHL regular season ends and for only the second time in franchise history a Washington Capital leads the league in Penalty Minutes. Tom Wilson finishes with 96 minutes, including four fighting majors and four misconducts.

Jersey worn by Tom Wilson during the 2020-21 Regular Season in which he led the league in Penalty Minutes.

May 23

May 23, 2018 - The Caps win Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Alex Ovechkin scores just over a minute into the game, but Tampa pushes back hard for the next period and a half. Braden Holtby stops everything the Lightning can put on net and then Andre Burakovsky scores not one but two goals in the second period and Capitals coast into the Stanley Cup Finals.

Jersey worn by Braden Holtby during Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Jersey worn by Andre Burakovsky during Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

June 4

June 4, 1998 - Joe Juneau scores in overtime of Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Buffalo Sabres to send the Caps to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in franchise history.

Jersey worn by Joe Juneau for all road games of the 1998 Stanley Cup Playoffs including the Finals.

June 7

June 7, 2018 - The Capitals win the Stanley Cup! Vegas scores late in the second period of Game 5 to take a 3-2 lead into the third. With about ten minutes left in the game, Devante Smith-Pelly's forecheck prevents Luca Sbisa from getting off a crisp pass. This allows Brooks Orpik to pinch in and keep the puck in the zone. Orpik quickly fires the puck at the net, but Smith-Pelly stops it with his skate and as he is getting tripped by a Vegas defender, he puts a diving shot past Fleury to tie it up. Two and a half minutes later, Andrei Burakovsky finds Brett Connolly in the slot for a one-timer. Fleury makes the save but the puck trickles behind him. Lars Eller, coming from behind the net, puts it in for what would be the Stanley Cup winning goal!

Jersey worn by Devante Smith-Pelly in Game 5 of the 2018 Stanley Cup Finals.

June 12

June 12, 2008 - Alex Ovechkin becomes the first Washington Capital to win the Hart Trophy as the league's most valuable player. He also collects the Art Ross trophy for leading the league in points, the Lester B. Pearson award for the most outstanding player as judged by the player's association and the Richard Trophy as the leading goal scorer. Prior to 2008, the only Caps to finish in the top 5 of the Hart Trophy voting were Rod Langway (4th in 1983, 2nd in 1984, 4th in 1985) and Olaf Kolzig (4th in 2000).

Jersey worn by Alex Ovechkin during the 2007-08 season.

June 18

June 18, 2009 - Alex Ovechkin accepts his second Hart Trophy in a row at the NHL Awards ceremony in Las Vegas. He also collects the Lester B. Pearson award for the most outstanding player as judged by the player's association and the Richard Trophy as the leading goal scorer. His 56 goals are 10 better than second place Jeff Carter. He finishes second in scoring with 110 points to Evgeny Malkin's 113.

Jersey worn by Alex Ovechkin during the 2008-09 season.

September 22

September 22, 1974 - After only a week of training camp in London, Ontario, the expansion Washington Capitals play their first hockey game - a 4-2 exhibition loss to the Buffalo Sabres in St. Catherines. The Capitals' goal scorers are John Paddock and Jack Egers.

A ticket to the Washington Capitals first exhibition (pre-season) game on Sept. 22, 1974.

September 27

September 27, 1974 - The Capitals tie the Montreal Canadiens 4-4 in the first game at the Capital Centre during the 1974-75 preseason.

Tickets to the first Capitals game at the Capital Centre.

October 5

October 5, 2007 - Nicklas Backstrom plays in his first NHL game and gets his first NHL point. The Capitals beat the Atlanta Thrashers 3-1 and Backstrom assists on a Michael Nylander goal at 10:41 of the first period.

Jersey worn by Nicklas Backstrom in his first NHL game.

October 6

October 6, 2001 - In the 2001-02 season opener, the line of Ulf Dahlen, Jeff Halpern, and Steve Konowalchuk generate 3 of the Caps 6 goals as the Caps beat the Devils 6-1. Dahlen has 1G, 2A, Halpern has a 1G, 1A and Konowalchuk has 2A.

Jersey worn by Ulf Dahlen on October 6, 2001.

October 7

October 7, 1981 - Bobby Carpenter, who was the highest American ever drafted just four months earlier, plays in his first NHL regular season game. The Caps would lose to the Sabres 5-3 at the Buffalo Auditorium, but Carpenter gets his first point just 12 seconds into the game when he assists on a Ryan Walter goal. In the second period, he scores his first NHL goal, which gives the Caps a 2-1 lead at the time.

Jersey worn by Bobby Carpenter in his first NHL game on October 7, 1981.

October 23

October 23, 1974 - The Capitals wear white pants for the final time in a game against the Chicago Black Hawks. After just four games, the organization decides not to continue with the white pants as they do not stay white after a full game of sliding up and down the dirty NHL benches.

White pant shells worn by one of the Washington Capitals for the first four road games of the 1974-75 season.

October 23, 2015 - Evgeny Kuznetsov notches 5 points (3 goals, 2 assists) in a 7-4 win over the Edmonton Oilers. This was Kuznetsov's first career hat trick and 5 point game.

Jersey worn by Evgeny Kuznetsov on October 23, 2015.

October 25

October 25, 2023 - Nicklas Backstrom scores the final point of his career in a 6-4 win over the New Jersey Devils. The point was (very fitting) an assist on the game-winning goal, scored by Connor McMichael.

Jersey worn by Nicklas Backstrom when he registered his last NHL point on October 25, 2023.

October 29

October 29, 1991 - Michal Pivonka scores the final goal in an 8-0 rout of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Penguins superstar Mario Lemieux is held scoreless and is a -4.

Jersey worn by Michal Pivonka on October 29, 1991.

October 31

October 31, 1983 - Al Jensen is named the NHL Player of the Week after going 4-0 (all games on the road) including back-to-back shutouts. During the week, he broke his own record for the longest shutout streak in franchise history, setting the new record at 154:06. This record would be broken by Pat Riggin later that same season.

Jersey worn by Al Jensen when he was Player of the Week in the last week of October 1983.

November 1

November 1, 2019 - John Carlson is named the NHL's 1st Star of the Month for October 2019. In the month, John had 7 goals and 16 assists for 23 points in just 14 games. His 23 points are the most ever scored in a single month by a Capitals' defenseman and the second most ever scored by an NHL defenseman in October.

Jersey worn by John Carlson for all 9 road games in October 2019. In those 9 games, he had 5 goals and 9 assists for 14 points.

November 7

November 7, 1992 - Mike Ridley scores the Capitals' 5000th regular season goal in a 6-2 win over the Hartford Whalers.

Jersey worn by Mike Ridley on November 7, 1992.

November 8

November 8, 2007 - Nicklas Backstrom scores his first NHL goal in a 4-1 win over the Senators in Ottawa.

Jersey worn by Nicklas Backstrom when he scored his first NHL goal.

November 16

November 16, 2016 - Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie both match their career highs in points as the Capitals rout the Pittsburgh Penguins 7-1 at home. Backstrom has 5 points (2 goals, 3 assists) for the fifth time in his career and Oshie has 4 points (2 goals, 2 assists) for the fourth time in his career.

Pucks scored by Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie on November 16, 2016 against the Pittsburgh Penguins in a 7-1 win.

November 17

November 17, 2008 - Nicklas Backstrom is named the NHL's first star of the week for the week Nov 10-16. In three games that week, he had 2 goals and 8 assists, including a 4 point game on the road in Carolina and a 5 point game in New Jersey in which he played a part in all 5 Capitals' goals.

Jersey worn by Nicklas Backstrom on November 12 against Carolina and November 15 against New Jersey for 9 of the 10 points he scored that week.

November 18

November 18, 2000 - Steve Konowalchuk scores all 3 Capital goals as the Caps fall to the Flyers 5-3. This is the third and final hat trick of his career.

Jersey worn by Steve Konowalchuk on November 18, 2000.

November 21

November 21, 1984 - Mike Gartner has two assists to extend his point streak to 17 games, the longest consecutive point streak in team history. During those 17 games, Mike had 12 goals and 16 assists for 28 points. The game is a 3-3 tie against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Jersey worn by Mike Gartner for 8 of the 17 consecutive games in which he scored a point from October 13 - November 21, 1984.

November 21, 2001 - Sergei Gonchar scores his 100th career NHL goal in a 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Jersey worn by Sergei Gonchar on November 21, 2001.

November 23

November 23, 2007 - Bruce Boudreau coaches his first game for the Capitals. Nicklas Backstrom scores an overtime goal to beat the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3. This would be considered the turning point of the season as Washington would compile a 37-17-7 record under Boudreau after going 6-14-1 to start the season. They would make the playoffs for the first time in five years.

Jersey worn by Nicklas Backstrom on November 23, 2007.

November 25

November 25, 1984 - Mike Gartner passes Dennis Maruk to become the Capitals' all-time scoring leader with his 432nd point as a Capital. In a 5-0 shutout of the Chicago Blackhawks, Gartner gets the point on a third-period power play goal.

Jersey worn by Mike Gartner when he became the Capitals all-time scoring leader.

November 25, 2017 - Alex Ovechkin has his 21st career hat trick in a 4-2 win over the Maple Leafs in Toronto. He scores career goal 574 in the first period to put himself into 21st place on the all-time goal scoring list passing Mike Bossy. Goal 576 completes the hat trick late in the third and ensures the win.

Gloves worn by Alex Ovechkin when he scored the third goal of his 21st hat trick on November 25, 2017.

November 26

November 26, 2008 - Alex Ovechkin's 6th career hat trick helps the Caps to a 5-3 win over the Atlanta Thrashers. This would be 10 goals for Alex in his past 9 games. He would score 56 during the season, the third highest total in team history.

Jersey worn by Alex Ovechkin on November 26, 2008.

December 2

December 2, 1981 - Bobby Carpenter assists on all 3 Mike Gartner goals and adds one of his own in a 9-3 win over the Calgary Flames.

Jersey worn by Bobby Carpenter on December 2, 1981.

December 6

December 6, 2017 - Tom Wilson has 2 goals and 2 assists in a 6-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. It is the first 4-point game of Wilson's career and his 3rd period shorthanded goal is also the first of his career. Alex Ovechkin has a goal and three assists and Nicklas Backstrom adds a goal and two assists, including his 750th career point.

Goal puck scored by Tom Wilson at 14:53 of the first period on Dec. 6, 2017. Nicklas Backstrom's assist is his 750th career point.

December 10

December 10, 2013 - The Capitals surrender 3 goals early in the first period to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but Alex Ovechkin scores 4 times including the tying goal with just over 30 seconds left in regulation to send the game into overtime at 5-5. It is the third 4-goal game of his career as the Capitals win the game 6-5 in the shootout.

Jersey worn by Alex Ovechkin on December 10, 2013.

December 14

December 14, 2018 - Alex Ovechkin has a hat trick for the second game in a row as the Capitals beat the Carolina Hurricanes 6-5. This is Ovechkin's 23rd career hat trick and the second time in his career that he has had hat tricks in back to back games. It is also the 13th straight game in which Alex has at least 1 point. He would ultimately extend the point streak to 14 games, the longest of his career and be voted 1st Star of the Week by the NHL.

Alex Ovechkin wore this jersey for 16 games during the 2018-19 season. He scored 16 goals and 5 assists in those 16 games, including a hat trick on Dec. 14, 2018.

December 15

December 15, 1979 - Rick Green scores the first of 5 third period goals for the Capitals as they come back from 4-0 deficit to beat the Rangers 5-4.

Jersey worn by Rick Green on December 15, 1979.

December 17

December 17, 2022 - Erik Gustafsson becomes only the fourth defenseman in Capitals history to have a hat trick. He does so in a 5-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, scoring once in each period. It is the first hat trick in Gustafsson's career. Kevin Hatcher, Sergei Gonchar (regular season), and Al Iafrate (playoffs) are the only other defensemen to score three or more goals in a single game.

Jersey worn by Erik Gustafsson on December 17, 2022.

December 21

December 21, 1980 - The Capitals beat the Philadelphia Flyers for the first time. Up to this point, the Capitals had beaten every other team in the league at least once and in their 26th meeting, the Caps finally beat the Flyers. It is a 6-0 rout, but it isn't as easy as it might seem. Mike Palmateer has to stop 44 Flyer shots and the teams combine for 344 penalty minutes (the most ever in a Capitals game) with 15 players being ejected.

Goalie stick used by Mike Palmateer on December 21, 1980 when the Capitals shut out the Flyers 6-0 for their first ever win against Philly.

December 23

December 23, 2008 - The Capitals erase a 4-0 deficit to the New York Rangers to win 5-4. Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom each have three points, but it is Shaone Morrisonn who scores the winning goal in overtime.

Pucks scored by Tomas Fleischmann and Viktor Kozlov in the third period of the Capitals 5-4 comeback win against the Rangers on December 23, 2008 along with two additional game used pucks from the 1st and 2nd periods.

December 23, 2022 - Alex Ovechkin scores career goals #801 to tie, and #802 to pass Mr. Hockey Gordie Howe for second place on the all-time goals list. The Capitals beat the Winnipeg Jets 4-1.

Goal pucks from the 'other' two goals in the Capitals 4-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets on Dec. 23, 2022. The goals were scored by Sonny Milano and Nic Dowd.

A ticket to the Capitals 4-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets on Dec. 23, 2022, in which Alex Ovechkin tied and passed Gordie Howe.

December 28

December 28, 2015 - Braden Holtby has a 31 save shutout against the Buffalo Sabres to improve his record to 23-4-1. The 2015-16 Capitals would run away with the President's Trophy behind a remarkable Vezina Trophy winning season for Braden Holtby.

Jersey worn by Braden Holtby on December 28, 2015.