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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.
ByJohn Murray|
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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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1994 vs. the New York Rangers

Messier 1994 Stanley Cup
Rangers Mark Messier is handed the Stanley Cup after the Rangers defeated Vancouver 3-2 in game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals at Madison Square Garden June 14, 1994. | Frank Becerra Jr./The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Capitals knocked the Penguins out in the first round that year, getting payback for ‘91 and ‘92. The Caps and their fans were pysched and ready to take on the Rangers. There was just one problem. No one was going to deny Mark Messier and the New York Rangers in 1994. Messier was on a mission that season, the Rangers took the series 4-1 and, led by their captain, the Blue Shirts won the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1940. The Caps were back home scheduling tee times.

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