Washington Capitals

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Lore & Background

The 2021–22 season marked the first playoff meeting between the Florida Panthers and Washington Capitals. The Capitals entered the postseason as the eighth seed in their conference. They clinched a playoff spot on April 17, 2022, after the New York Islanders lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Panthers had won the Presidents' Trophy as the top regular-season team. In the first round, the Panthers defeated the Capitals in six games. This series was the only playoff encounter between the two franchises as of that season. The Capitals' season ended with that first-round loss.

In Their Own Story

The 2021–22 season ended for the Capitals on the ice against the Florida Panthers. The Capitals had secured a playoff berth on April 17, 2022, after the New York Islanders lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs. As the eighth seed, they faced the Presidents' Trophy-winning Panthers. The series went six games, with the Panthers ultimately eliminating the Capitals. The loss marked the end of Washington's 48th season, a campaign that began with the regular season schedule released on July 22, 2021.

Reader's Guide

The Florida Panthers and Washington Capitals met in the playoffs for the first time during the 2021–22 season. The Capitals, in their 48th season, clinched a playoff spot on April 17, 2022, after the New York Islanders lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs. They entered as the eighth seed. The Panthers had won the Presidents' Trophy. The first-round series lasted six games, with the Panthers defeating the Capitals. This remains the only playoff series between the two teams. The Capitals' player statistics were recorded as of April 29, 2022, and the team's draft picks were made at the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, held virtually on July 23–24, 2021, from the NHL Network studio in Secaucus, New Jersey.

Did You Know?

• The Capitals clinched a playoff spot on April 17, 2022, after the New York Islanders lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
• The 2021–22 season was the 48th for the Capitals, who were established on June 11, 1974.
• The Capitals were the eighth seed when they faced the Presidents' Trophy-winning Florida Panthers in the first round.
• The Panthers defeated the Capitals in six games in the first round of the 2022 playoffs.
• The 2021 NHL Entry Draft was held virtually via video conference call from the NHL Network studio in Secaucus, New Jersey.

Season Overview and Playoff Run

The 2021–22 season was the 48th for the Washington Capitals, a franchise established on June 11, 1974. The Capitals clinched a playoff spot on April 17, 2022, after the New York Islanders lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs. As the eighth seed, they faced the Presidents' Trophy-winning Florida Panthers in the first round. The Panthers defeated the Capitals in six games. The regular season schedule had been released on July 22, 2021.

Roster Turnover and Transaction Activity

During the 2021–22 season, the Capitals made transactions including trades, signings, and player movements. One trade involved a conditional pick: Arizona would receive a third-round pick in 2024 if Colorado won the 2022 Stanley Cup and goaltender Darcy Kuemper played in 50% of their playoff games; otherwise, no pick would be exchanged. Player statistics as of April 29, 2022, noted that a dagger (†) denoted a player who spent time with another team before joining the Capitals, with stats reflecting only Capitals time. A double dagger (‡) denoted a player traded mid-season, with stats reflecting only Capitals time. Bold or italics denoted a franchise record.

Draft Strategy and Future Planning

The Capitals made selections at the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, held virtually on July 23–24, 2021, from the NHL Network studio in Secaucus, New Jersey. The draft was conducted via video conference call. The specific players selected are not detailed in the source.

Statistical Performance and Team Records

Player statistics were recorded as of April 29, 2022. For skaters and goaltenders, a dagger (†) indicated a player who spent time with another team before joining the Capitals, with stats reflecting only Capitals time. A double dagger (‡) indicated a player traded mid-season, with stats reflecting only Capitals time. Bold or italics denoted a franchise record.