2018–19 Washington Capitals season

The 2018–19 Washington Capitals season was the 45th season for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on June 11, 1974. It was the first season with new head coach Todd Reirden. They entered the season as the defending Stanley Cup champions. The Capitals clinched a playoff spot on March 28, 2019, after a 3–2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. On April 4, the team defended their division title in a 2–1 win against the Montreal Canadiens.

The Capitals faced the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs, where they lost in seven games. With losing the series after taking a 2–0 series lead, this was the eleventh time the Capitals have lost a playoff series after taking a 2–game lead in their franchise history.

Preseason
The preseason schedule was published on June 18, 2018.

Regular season
The regular season schedule was released on June 21, 2018.



Playoffs
The Capitals faced the Carolina Hurricanes in the First Round of the playoffs, and were defeated in seven games.



Player statistics
As of April 24, 2019

Goaltenders
†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining the Capitals. Stats reflect time with the Capitals only.

‡Denotes player was traded mid-season. Stats reflect time with the Capitals only.

Bold/italics denotes franchise record.

Transactions
The Capitals have been involved in the following transactions during the 2018–19 season.

Draft picks
Below are the Washington Capitals' selections at the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, which was held on June 22 and 23, 2018, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

Notes:
 * 1) The Florida Panthers' second-round pick went the Washington Capitals as the result of a trade on July 2, 2017, that sent Marcus Johansson to New Jersey in exchange for Toronto's third-round pick in 2018 and this pick.
 * 2) The Colorado Avalanche's second-round pick went to the Washington Capitals as the result of a trade on June 22, 2018, that sent Philipp Grubauer and Brooks Orpik to Colorado in exchange for this pick.