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8 times the Washington Capitals lost in the playoffs to the eventual Stanley Cup Champion

The Capitals have a long and tortured history when it comes to playoff loses and heartbreak, but nothing stings more than the fact that the franchise has lost to the eventually Stanley Cup Champion eight times in their playoff history.
Apr 12, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Capitals players celebrate after their game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Apr 12, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Capitals players celebrate after their game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images | Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
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Watching Carolina and Vegas in the finals, I can’t help but think back to what happened eight years ago when the Capitals finally broke through and won their first Stanley Cup. The Washington Capitals playoff history is mostly a tragedy, with the exception of 2018. But before that beautiful shining moment, the Capitals lost to the eventual Stanely Cup champion eight times in their history. They lost twice in the first round, five times in the second, and once in the finals. Let’s take a look.

1983 vs. the New York Islanders

bryan trottie
Jan 16, 2015; Uniondale, NY, USA; New York Islanders former player Bryan Trottier drops a ceremonial first puck between Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) and New York Islanders center John Tavares (91) before a game at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

After years of being awful, the 1982-83 Washington Capitals made the playoffs for the very first time in their history. They unfortunately had to play the 3-time Stanley Cup Champion New York Islanders in the first round. The Islanders won the series 3-1 on their way to their fourth consecutive Stanley Cup. This marked the first time the Capitals would love to the eventual Stanley Cup champion.

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