The 2009–10 Washington Capitals season was the team's
36th season in the
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League (NHL; , ''LNH'') is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The NHL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Cana ...
(NHL). The season started with the
2009 NHL entry draft on June 26–27 with the Capitals holding the 24th selection in the draft. On December 28, 2009, the Capitals traded away captain
Chris Clark and defenseman
Milan Jurcina to the
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets (often simply referred to as the Jackets) are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio. The Blue Jackets compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern C ...
in exchange for winger
Jason Chimera. On January 5, 2010,
Alexander Ovechkin
Alexander Mikhailovich Ovechkin (, ; born 17September 1985) is a Russian professional ice hockey Winger (ice hockey), left winger and Captain (ice hockey), captain of the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL). Nicknamed "the ...
was named the team's new captain, the unanimous choice of his teammates. Ovechkin became the first European, second-youngest and 14th overall captain in team history. From January 13 to February 7, 2010, Washington won 14-straight games. The Capitals eventually finished 2009-10 regular season first in the Eastern Conference and in the NHL with 121 points, securing their first ever
President's Trophy while also becoming the first non-
Original Six team to ever reach the 120-point plateau. The Capitals finished the regular season in first place in scoring, with 313 goals (excluding five shootout-winning goals). This was the highest total by an NHL team since the 1995–96 season. Seven Washington players reached the 20-goal mark. The Capitals also scored the most power-play goals in the league with 79, and had the best power-play percentage at 25.24% (79 for 313).
Ovechkin led the team with 109 points and finished as the league's third-highest goal scorer, despite playing nine games fewer than the league leaders. Fellow Capital's player
Nicklas Bäckström finished the season with 101 points, the fourth-most in the NHL.
Mike Green led all defensemen in points, finishing with 76. The Capitals also dominated the
plus-minus category, with five players finishing in the top six in the league. Despite enjoying a top-ranked regular season, the Capitals were ousted by the eighth-seeded
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...
in the first round of the playoffs in 7 games. Their early post-season exit in 2010 was considered one of the biggest playoff upsets in NHL history.
Pre-season
Regular season
On December 28, the Capitals traded captain
Chris Clark and
Milan Jurcina to the
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets (often simply referred to as the Jackets) are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio. The Blue Jackets compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern C ...
in exchange for
Jason Chimera. On January 5,
Alexander Ovechkin
Alexander Mikhailovich Ovechkin (, ; born 17September 1985) is a Russian professional ice hockey Winger (ice hockey), left winger and Captain (ice hockey), captain of the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL). Nicknamed "the ...
was named the team's new captain, the unanimous choice of his teammates.
From January 13 to February 7, 2010, Washington won 14-straight games.
By finishing the regular season with 121 points in the standings, the Capitals became the first non-
Original Six team to ever reach the 120-point plateau.
The Capitals finished the regular season in first place in scoring, with 313 goals (excluding five shootout-winning goals). This was the highest total by an NHL team since the 1995–96 season. Seven Washington players reached the 20-goal mark. The Capitals also scored the most power-play goals in the league with 79, and had the best power-play percentage at 25.24% (79 for 313).
Divisional standings
Conference standings
Game log
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 1 , , October 1 , , Boston Bruins , , 4 - 1 , ,
TD Garden , , 17,565 , , 1-0-0 , , 2
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 2 , , October 3 , , Toronto Maple Leafs , , 6 - 4 , ,
Verizon Center , , 18,277 , , 2-0-0 , , 4
, - align="center" bgcolor="ffffff"
, 3 , , October 6 , , Philadelphia Flyers , , 6 - 5
OT , ,
Wachovia Center , , 19,567 , , 2-0-1 , , 5
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
, 4 , , October 8 , , New York Rangers , , 4 - 3 , , Verizon Center , , 18,277 , , 2-1-1 , , 5
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
, 5 , , October 10 , , Detroit Red Wings , , 3 - 2 , ,
Joe Louis Arena , , 19,122 , , 2-2-1 , , 5
, - align="center" bgcolor="ffffff"
, 6 , , October 12 , , New Jersey Devils , , 3 - 2
SO , , Verizon Center , , 18,277 , , 2-2-2 , , 6
, - align="center" bgcolor="ccffcc"
, 7 , , October 15 , , San Jose Sharks , , 4 - 1 , , Verizon Center , , 18,277 , , 3-2-2 , , 8
, - align="center" bgcolor="ccffcc"
, 8 , , October 17 , , Nashville Predators , , 3 - 2
SO , , Verizon Center , , 18,277 , , 4-2-2 , , 10
, - align="center" bgcolor="ccffcc"
, 9 , , October 22 , , Atlanta Thrashers , , 5 - 4 , ,
Philips Arena
State Farm Arena is a Multi-purpose stadium, multi-purpose arena located in Atlanta, Georgia. The arena serves as the home venue for the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). It also served as home to the Atlanta Thrasher ...
, , 13,192 , , 5-2-2 , , 12
, - align="center" bgcolor="ccffcc"
, 10 , , October 24 , , New York Islanders , , 3 - 2
OT , ,
Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum , , 11,541 , , 6-2-2 , , 14
, - align="center" bgcolor="ccffcc"
, 11 , , October 27 , , Philadelphia Flyers , , 4 - 2 , , Verizon Center , , 18,277 , , 7-2-2 , , 16
, - align="center" bgcolor="ccffcc"
, 12 , , October 29 , , Atlanta Thrashers , , 4 - 3 , , Philips Arena , , 12,893 , , 8-2-2 , , 18
, - align="center" bgcolor="ffffff"
, 13 , , October 30 , , New York Islanders , , 4 - 3
OT , , Verizon Center , , 18,277 , , 8-2-3 , , 19
, -
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"
, 14 , , November 1 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 4 - 5
OT , , Verizon Center , , 18,277 , , 8-2-4 , , 20
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
, 15 , , November 4 , , New Jersey Devils , , 2 - 3 , ,
Prudential Center
Prudential Center is a multipurpose indoor arena in the central business district of Newark, New Jersey, United States. Opened in 2007, it is the home of the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL), the New York Sirens of the Pro ...
, , 13,498 , , 8-3-4 , , 20
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 16 , , November 6 , , Florida Panthers , , 4 - 1 , ,
BankAtlantic Center , , 15,877 , , 9-3-4 , , 22
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 17 , , November 7 , , Florida Panthers , , 7 - 4 , , Verizon Center , , 18,277 , , 10-3-4 , , 24
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 18 , , November 11 , , New York Islanders , , 5 - 4
SO , , Verizon Center , , 18,277 , , 11-3-4 , , 26
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 19 , , November 13 , , Minnesota Wild , , 3 - 1 , , Verizon Center , , 18,277 , , 12-3-4 , , 28
, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"
, 20 , , November 14 , , New Jersey Devils , , 2 - 5 , , Prudential Center , , 16,521 , , 12-4-4 , , 28
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 21 , , November 17 , , New York Rangers , , 4 - 2 , ,
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, colloquially known as the Garden or by its initials MSG, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in New York City. It is located in Midtown Manhattan between Seventh Avenue (Manhattan), Seventh and Eighth Avenue (Manhattan), Eig ...
, , 18,200 , , 13-4-4 , , 30
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
, 22 , , November 20 , , Montreal Canadiens , , 2 - 3 , , Verizon Center , , 18,277 , , 13-5-4 , , 30
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"
, 23 , , November 21 , , Toronto Maple Leafs , , 1 - 2
SO , ,
Air Canada Centre , , 19,455 , , 13-5-5 , , 31
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"
, 24 , , November 23 , , Ottawa Senators , , 3 - 4
OT , ,
Scotiabank Place , , 16,210 , , 13-5-6 , , 32
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 25 , , November 25 , , Buffalo Sabres , , 2 - 0 , , Verizon Center , , 18,277 , , 14-5-6 , , 34
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 26 , , November 28 , , Montreal Canadiens , , 4 - 3
SO , ,
Bell Centre , , 21,273 , , 15-5-6 , , 36
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 27 , , November 30 , , Carolina Hurricanes , , 3 - 2 , ,
RBC Center , , 12,797 , , 16-5-6 , , 38
, -
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 28 , , December 3 , , Florida Panthers , , 6 - 2 , , Verizon Center , , 18,277 , , 17-5-6 , , 40
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 29 , , December 5 , , Philadelphia Flyers , , 8 - 2 , , Wachovia Center , , 19,789 , , 18-5-6 , , 42
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 30 , , December 7 , , Tampa Bay Lightning , , 3 - 0 , ,
St. Pete Times Forum , , 12,400 , , 19-5-6 , , 44
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
, 31 , , December 9 , , Buffalo Sabres , , 0 - 3 , ,
HSBC Arena , , 17,982 , , 19-6-6 , , 44
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 32 , , December 11 , , Carolina Hurricanes , , 4 - 3
OT , , Verizon Center , , 18,277 , , 20-6-6 , , 46
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
, 33 , , December 12 , , Toronto Maple Leafs , , 3 - 6 , , Air Canada Centre , , 19,316 , , 20-7-6 , , 46
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 34 , , December 15 , , Colorado Avalanche , , 6 - 1 , ,
Pepsi Center , , 14,172 , , 21-7-6 , , 48
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
, 35 , , December 18 , , Vancouver Canucks , , 2 - 3 , ,
GM Place , , 18,810 , , 21-8-6 , , 48
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 36 , , December 19 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 4 - 2 , ,
Rexall Place , , 16,839 , , 22-8-6 , , 50
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 37 , , December 23 , , Buffalo Sabres , , 5 - 2 , , Verizon Center , , 18,277 , , 23-8-6 , , 52
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 38 , , December 26 , , New Jersey Devils , , 4 - 1 , , Verizon Center , , 18,277 , , 24-8-6 , , 54
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
, 39 , , December 28 , , Carolina Hurricanes , , 3 - 6 , , Verizon Center , , 18,277 , , 24-9-6 , , 54
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
, 40 , , December 30 , , San Jose Sharks , , 2 - 5 , ,
HP Pavilion , , 17,562 , , 24-10-6 , , 54
, -
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
, 41 , , January 2 , , Los Angeles Kings , , 1 - 2 , ,
Staples Center , , 18,118 , , 24-11-6 , , 54
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 42 , , January 5 , , Montreal Canadiens , , 4 - 2 , , Verizon Center , , 18,277 , , 25-11-6 , , 56
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 43 , , January 7 , , Ottawa Senators , , 5 - 2 , , Verizon Center , , 18,277 , , 26-11-6 , , 58
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 44 , , January 9 , , Atlanta Thrashers , , 8 - 1 , , Philips Arena , , 16,767 , , 27-11-6 , , 60
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
, 45 , , January 12 , , Tampa Bay Lightning , , 4 - 7 , , St. Pete Times Forum , , 13,891 , , 27-12-6 , , 60
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 46 , , January 13 , , Florida Panthers , , 5 - 4
SO , , BankAtlantic Center , , 14,776 , , 28-12-6 , , 62
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 47 , , January 15 , , Toronto Maple Leafs , , 6 - 1 , , Verizon Center , , 18,277 , , 29-12-6 , , 64
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 48 , , January 17 , , Philadelphia Flyers , , 5 - 3 , , Verizon Center , , 18,277 , , 30-12-6 , , 66
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 49 , , January 19 , , Detroit Red Wings , , 3 - 2 , , Verizon Center , , 18,277 , , 31-12-6 , , 68
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 50 , , January 21 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 6 - 3 , ,
Mellon Arena , , 17,132 , , 32-12-6 , , 70
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 51 , , January 23 , , Phoenix Coyotes , , 4 - 2 , , Verizon Center , , 18,277 , , 33-12-6 , , 72
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 52 , , January 26 , , New York Islanders , , 7 - 2 , , Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum , , 12,549 , , 34-12-6, , 74
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 53 , , January 27 , , Anaheim Ducks , , 5 - 1 , , Verizon Center , , 18,277 , , 35-12-6, , 76
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 54 , , January 29 , , Florida Panthers , , 4 - 1 , , Verizon Center , , 18,277 , , 36-12-6, , 78
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 55 , , January 31 , , Tampa Bay Lightning , , 3 - 2 , , Verizon Center , , 18,277 , , 37-12-6, , 80
, -
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 56 , , February 2 , , Boston Bruins , , 4 - 1 , , TD Garden , , 17,565 , , 38-12-6, , 82
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 57 , , February 4 , , New York Rangers , , 6 - 5 , , Madison Square Garden , , 18,200 , , 39-12-6, , 84
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 58 , , February 5 , , Atlanta Thrashers , , 5 - 2 , , Verizon Center , , 18,277 , , 40-12-6, , 86
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 59 , , February 7 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 5 - 4
OT , , Verizon Center , , 18,277 , , 41-12-6, , 88
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"
, 60 , , February 10 , , Montreal Canadiens , , 6 - 5
OT , , Bell Centre , , 21,273 , , 41-12-7, , 89
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
, 61 , , February 11 , , Ottawa Senators , , 6 - 5 , , Scotiabank Place , , 19,682 , , 41-13-7 , , 89
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"
, 62 , , February 13 , , St. Louis Blues , , 4 - 3
SO , ,
Scottrade Center , , 19,150 , , 41-13-8, , 90
, -
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 63 , , March 3 , , Buffalo Sabres , , 3 - 1 , , HSBC Arena , , 18,690 , , 42-13-8 , , 92
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 64 , , March 4 , , Tampa Bay Lightning , , 5 - 4 , , Verizon Center , , 18,277 , , 43-13-8 , , 94
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 65 , , March 6 , , New York Rangers , , 2 - 0 , , Verizon Center , , 18,277 , , 44-13-8 , , 96
, - align="center"
, 66 , , March 8 , , Dallas Stars , , 4 - 3
SO , , Verizon Center , , 18,277 , , 44-13-9 , , 97
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 67 , , March 10 , , Carolina Hurricanes , , 4 - 3
OT , , Verizon Center , , 18,277 , , 45-13-9 , , 99
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
, 68 , , March 12 , , Tampa Bay Lightning , , 2 - 3 , , Verizon Center , , 18,277 , , 45-14-9 , , 99
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 69 , , March 14 , , Chicago Blackhawks , , 4 - 3
OT , ,
United Center
The United Center is an indoor arena on the Near West Side, Chicago, Near West Side of Chicago, Illinois. It is home to the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL) ...
, , 22,289 , , 46-14-9 , , 101
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 70 , , March 16 , , Florida Panthers , , 7 - 3 , , BankAtlantic Center , , 15,123 , , 47-14-9 , , 103
, - align="center"
, 71 , , March 18 , , Carolina Hurricanes , , 3 - 4
OT , , RBC Center , , 18,144 , , 47-14-10 , , 104
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 72 , , March 20 , , Tampa Bay Lightning , , 3 - 1 , , St. Pete Times Forum , , 19,844 , , 48-14-10 , , 106
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 73 , , March 24 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 4 - 3
SO , , Verizon Center , , 18,277 , , 49-14-10 , , 108
, - align="center"
, 74 , , March 25 , , Carolina Hurricanes , , 3 - 2
SO , , RBC Center , , 18,046 , , 49-14-11 , , 109
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
, 75 , , March 28 , , Calgary Flames , , 5 - 3 , , Verizon Center , , 18,277 , , 49-15-11 , , 109
, - align="center"
, 76 , , March 30 , , Ottawa Senators , , 4 - 5
OT , , Verizon Center , , 18,277 , , 49–15–12 , , 110
, -
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 77 , , April 1 , , Atlanta Thrashers , , 2 - 1 , , Verizon Center , , 18,277 , , 50-15-12 , , 112
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 78 , , April 3 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 3 - 2 , ,
Nationwide Arena , , 16,957 , , 51-15-12 , , 114
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 79 , , April 5 , , Boston Bruins , , 3 - 2
OT , , Verizon Center , , 18,277 , , 52-15-12 , , 116
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 80 , , April 6 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 6 - 3 , , Mellon Arena , , 17,132 , , 53-15-12 , , 118
, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
, 81 , , April 9 , , Atlanta Thrashers , , 5 - 2 , , Verizon Center , , 18,277 , , 54-15-12 , , 120
, - align="center"
, 82 , , April 11 , , Boston Bruins , , 3-4
SO , , Verizon Center , , 18,277 , , 54-15-13 , , 121
, -
Playoffs
On March 11, the Capitals clinched the division title for the third consecutive season after also winning division titles in the
2007–08 and
2008–09 campaigns. The Capitals also clinched as the Eastern Conference regular season champions. On April 4, the Capitals won their first ever
Presidents' Trophy award. The Capitals played the
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...
in the opening round. The Canadiens won Game 1, 3–2 in overtime. The Capitals won the next three games to take a 3–1 series lead. The Canadiens won the next two games to tie the series at 3–3 and force a Game 7. In Game 7, the Canadiens took a 2–0 lead, which held up until the third period. The Capitals came close many times and outshot the Canadiens 42 to 16, but Canadiens goaltender
Jaroslav Halak kept them in the game, only allowing one goal. The Canadiens won the game 2–1 and eliminated the Capitals in the first round. Their early post-season exit in 2010 was considered one of the biggest playoff upsets in NHL history.
Key: Win Loss Clinch Playoff Series Eliminated from playoffs
Player statistics
Skaters
''Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/− = Plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes''
Goaltenders
''Note: GP = Games played; Min = Time on ice (minutes); W = Wins; L = Losses; OT = Overtime losses; GA = Goals against; GAA= Goals against average; SA= Shots against; SV= Saves; Sv% = Save percentage; SO= Shutouts''
†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Capitals. Stats reflect time with the Capitals only.
‡Traded mid-season
Bold/italics denotes franchise record
Awards and records
Awards
Transactions
The Capitals have been involved in the following
transactions during the 2009–10 season.
Trades
Free agents acquired
Free agents lost
Claimed via waivers
Lost via waivers
Player signings
Draft picks
The Capitals' picks in the
2009 NHL entry draft, in
Montreal
Montreal is the List of towns in Quebec, largest city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Quebec, the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, second-largest in Canada, and the List of North American cit ...
,
Quebec
Quebec is Canada's List of Canadian provinces and territories by area, largest province by area. Located in Central Canada, the province shares borders with the provinces of Ontario to the west, Newfoundland and Labrador to the northeast, ...
on June 26–27, 2009.
Farm teams
Hershey Bears
The Capitals'
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League (AHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America that serves as the primary developmental league of the National Hockey League (NHL). The league comprises 32 teams, with 26 in the United States and 6 in Cana ...
affiliate will remain to be the
Hershey Bears
The Hershey Bears are a professional ice hockey team based in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The Bears have played in the American Hockey League (AHL) since the 1938–39 season, making it the longest continuously operating member club of the league still ...
in the
2009–10 season.
South Carolina Stingrays
The
South Carolina Stingrays remain Washington's
ECHL affiliate for the
2009–10 season.
See also
*
2009–10 NHL season
References
External links
2009–10 Washington Capitals season at ESPN
{{DEFAULTSORT:2009-10 Washington Capitals Season
Cap
W
Cap
Presidents' Trophy seasons
Washington Capitals seasons