2014–15 Washington Capitals season
NHL ice hockey team season
The 2014–15 Washington Capitals season was the 41st season for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on June 11, 1974.[ 2]
The Washington Capitals 40th Anniversary patch
Off-season
Less than two weeks after the end of the Capitals' 2013–14 season , where the team missed the playoffs for the first time since 2007, the Washington Capitals announced that Head Coach Adam Oates was fired and general manager George McPhee would not have his contract with the team renewed.[ 3] On May 26, 2014, the Capitals promoted Brian MacLellan to be senior vice president and general manager and named Barry Trotz their new head coach.[ 4]
In July 2014, the Capitals signed several free agents, including former Pittsburgh Penguins defensemen Matt Niskanen and Brooks Orpik .
Playoffs
The Washington Capitals entered the playoffs as the Metropolitan Division's second seed. They defeated the New York Islanders in the first round, and were defeated by the New York Rangers in the second round.
Standings
Schedule and results
Pre-season
2014 Pre-Season Game Log: 5–3–0 (Home: 4–0–0; Road: 1–3–0)
#
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Recap
1
September 21
Buffalo
0–1
Washington
Holtby
16,707
1–0–0
Recap
2
September 22
Washington
4–5
Philadelphia
Grubauer
17,679
1–1–0
Recap
3
September 24
Washington
0–2
Boston
Copley
17,215
1–2–0
Recap
4
September 26
Boston
4–5
Washington
OT
Peters
17,426
2–2–0
Recap
5
September 28
Washington
2–0
Montreal
Holtby
21,287
3–2–0
Recap
6
October 1
Washington
1–6
Buffalo
Holtby
18,228
3–3–0
Recap
7
October 2
Philadelphia
2–3
Washington
SO
Peters
16,765
4–3–0
Recap
8
October 5
Carolina
2–5
Washington
Holtby
16,138
5–3–0
Recap
Regular season
2014–15 Game Log
October: 4–3–2 (Home: 2–1–2; Road: 2–2–0)
#
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Pts
Recap
1
October 9
Montreal
2–1
Washington
SO
Holtby
18,506
0–0–1
1
Recap
2
October 11
Washington
4–0
Boston
Holtby
17,565
1–0–1
3
Recap
3
October 14
San Jose
6–5
Washington
SO
Peters
18,506
1–0–2
4
Recap
4
October 16
New Jersey
2–6
Washington
Holtby
18,506
2–0–2
6
Recap
5
October 18
Florida
1–2
Washington
SO
Peters
18,506
3–0–2
8
Recap
6
October 22
Washington
2–3
Edmonton
Holtby
16,839
3–1–2
8
Recap
7
October 25
Washington
3–1
Calgary
Holtby
19,095
4–1–2
10
Recap
8
October 26
Washington
2–4
Vancouver
Peters
18,427
4–2–2
10
Recap
9
October 29
Detroit
4–2
Washington
Holtby
18,506
4–3–2
10
Recap
November: 6–6–2 (Home: 3–3–1; Road: 3–3–1)
#
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Pts
Recap
10
November 1
Washington
3–4
Tampa Bay
Holtby
19,119
4–4–2
10
Recap
11
November 2
Arizona
6–5
Washington
Peters
18,506
4–5–2
10
Recap
12
November 4
Calgary
4–3
Washington
OT
Holtby
18,506
4–5–3
11
Recap
13
November 7
Washington
3–2
Chicago
Holtby
21,892
5–5–3
13
Recap
14
November 8
Carolina
3–4
Washington
OT
Peters
18,506
6–5–3
15
Recap
15
November 11
Columbus
2–4
Washington
Holtby
18,506
7–5–3
17
Recap
16
November 14
New Jersey
1–0
Washington
Holtby
18,506
7–6–3
17
Recap
17
November 15
Washington
1–4
St. Louis
Peters
19,339
7–7–3
17
Recap
18
November 18
Washington
2–1
Arizona
OT
Holtby
11,769
8–7–3
19
Recap
19
November 20
Washington
3–2
Colorado
Holtby
16,476
9–7–3
21
Recap
20
November 22
Buffalo
2–1
Washington
Holtby
18,506
9–8–3
21
Recap
21
November 26
Washington
2–3
NY Islanders
OT
Holtby
16,170
9–8–4
22
Recap
22
November 28
NY Islanders
2–5
Washington
Holtby
18,506
10–8–4
24
Recap
23
November 29
Washington
2–6
Toronto
Holtby
19,161
10–9–4
24
Recap
December: 8–2–3 (Home: 2–1–1; Road: 6–1–2)
#
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Pts
Recap
24
December 2
Vancouver
4–3
Washington
Holtby
18,506
10–10–4
24
Recap
25
December 4
Washington
2–1
Carolina
Holtby
10,783
11–10–4
26
Recap
26
December 6
Washington
4–1
New Jersey
Holtby
15,230
12–10–4
28
Recap
27
December 9
Washington
5–3
Tampa Bay
Holtby
17,109
13–10–4
30
Recap
28
December 11
Columbus
3–2
Washington
OT
Holtby
18,506
13–10–5
31
Recap
29
December 13
Tampa Bay
2–4
Washington
Holtby
18,506
14–10–5
33
Recap
30
December 16
Washington
1–2
Florida
SO
Holtby
10,012
14–10–6
34
Recap
31
December 18
Washington
5–4
Columbus
OT
Holtby
13,722
15–10–6
36
Recap
32
December 20
Washington
4–0
New Jersey
Holtby
14,776
16–10–6
38
Recap
33
December 22
Ottawa
1–2
Washington
Holtby
18,506
17–10–6
40
Recap
34
December 23
Washington
2–4
NY Rangers
Holtby
18,006
17–11–6
40
Recap
35
December 27
Washington
3–0
Pittsburgh
Holtby
18,663
18–11–6
42
Recap
36
December 29
Washington
3–4
NY Islanders
OT
Holtby
16,170
18–11–7
43
Recap
January: 7–3–3 (Home: 6–0–1; Road: 1–3–2)
#
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Pts
Recap
37
January 1 (Winter Classic )
Chicago
2–3
Washington
Holtby
42,832 (at Nationals Park )
19–11–7
45
Recap
38
January 4
Florida
3–4
Washington
Holtby
18,506
20–11–7
47
Recap
39
January 7
Washington
6–2
Toronto
Holtby
19,047
21–11–7
49
Recap
40
January 8
Washington
2–3
Philadelphia
OT
Holtby
19,703
21–11–8
50
Recap
41
January 10
Detroit
1–3
Washington
Holtby
18,506
22–11–8
52
Recap
42
January 12
Colorado
1–2
Washington
Holtby
18,506
23–11–8
54
Recap
43
January 14
Philadelphia
0–1
Washington
Holtby
18,506
24–11–8
56
Recap
44
January 16
Washington
3–4
Nashville
Holtby
17,303
24–12–8
56
Recap
45
January 17
Washington
4–5
Dallas
Peters
18,532
24–13–8
56
Recap
46
January 20
Edmonton
5–4
Washington
SO
Holtby
18,506
24–13–9
57
Recap
47
January 27
Washington
3–4
Columbus
Holtby
16,514
24–14–9
57
Recap
48
January 28
Pittsburgh
0–4
Washington
Holtby
18,506
25–14–9
59
Recap
49
January 31
Washington
0–1
Montreal
OT
Holtby
21,286
25–14–10
60
Recap
February: 8–6–0 (Home: 4–3–0; Road: 4–3–0)
#
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Pts
Recap
50
February 1
St. Louis
4–3
Washington
Peters
18,506
25–15–10
60
Recap
51
February 3
Los Angeles
0–4
Washington
Holtby
18,506
26–15–10
62
Recap
52
February 5
Washington
2–1
Ottawa
Holtby
16,543
27–15–10
64
Recap
53
February 6
Anaheim
2–3
Washington
SO
Grubauer
18,506
28–15–10
66
Recap
54
February 8
Philadelphia
3–1
Washington
Holtby
18,506
28–16–10
66
Recap
55
February 11
Washington
5–4
San Jose
OT
Holtby
16,956
29–16–10
68
Recap
56
February 14
Washington
1–3
Los Angeles
Holtby
18,230
29–17–10
68
Recap
57
February 15
Washington
5–3
Anaheim
Peters
17,252
30–17–10
70
Recap
58
February 17
Washington
3–1
Pittsburgh
Holtby
18,663
31–17–10
72
Recap
59
February 19
Winnipeg
1–5
Washington
Holtby
18,506
32–17–10
74
Recap
60
February 21
NY Islanders
2–3
Washington
SO
Holtby
18,506
33–17–10
76
Recap
61
February 22
Washington
2–3
Philadelphia
Holtby
19,703
33–18–10
76
Recap
62
February 25
Pittsburgh
4–3
Washington
Holtby
18,506
33–19–10
76
Recap
63
February 27
Washington
0–3
Carolina
Holtby
13,415
33–20–10
76
Recap
March: 9–5–0 (Home: 5–4–0; Road: 4–1–0)
#
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Pts
Recap
64
March 1
Toronto
0–4
Washington
Holtby
18,506
34–20–10
78
Recap
65
March 3
Washington
5–3
Columbus
Holtby
16,514
35–20–10
80
Recap
66
March 5
Minnesota
2–1
Washington
Holtby
18,506
35–21–10
80
Recap
67
March 7
Buffalo
1–6
Washington
Holtby
18,506
36–21–10
82
Recap
68
March 11
NY Rangers
3–1
Washington
Holtby
18,506
36–22–10
82
Recap
69
March 13
Dallas
4–2
Washington
Holtby
18,506
36–23–10
82
Recap
70
March 15
Boston
0–2
Washington
Holtby
18,506
37–23–10
84
Recap
71
March 16
Washington
4–3
Buffalo
SO
Holtby
19,070
38–23–10
86
Recap
72
March 19
Washington
3–2
Minnesota
Holtby
19,044
39–23–10
88
Recap
73
March 21
Washington
0–3
Winnipeg
Holtby
15,016
39–24–10
88
Recap
74
March 26
New Jersey
2–3
Washington
OT
Holtby
18,506
40–24–10
90
Recap
75
March 28
Nashville
4–3
Washington
Peters
18,506
40–25–10
90
Recap
76
March 29
Washington
5–2
NY Rangers
Holtby
18,006
41–25–10
92
Recap
77
March 31
Carolina
2–4
Washington
Holtby
18,506
42–25–10
94
Recap
April: 3–1–1 (Home: 1–1–0; Road: 2–0–1)
#
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Pts
Recap
78
April 2
Washington
5–4
Montreal
SO
Holtby
21,286
43–25–10
96
Recap
79
April 4
Washington
3–4
Ottawa
OT
Holtby
16,543
43–25–11
97
Recap
80
April 5
Washington
2–1
Detroit
Holtby
20,027
44–25–11
99
Recap
81
April 8
Boston
0–3
Washington
Holtby
18,506
45–25–11
101
Recap
82
April 11
NY Rangers
4–2
Washington
Holtby
18,506
45–26–11
101
Recap
Legend :
Win (2 points)
Loss (0 points)
Overtime/shootout loss (1 point)
Playoffs
2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Eastern Conference First Round vs. (M3) New York Islanders: Washington wins 4–3
#
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Series
Recap
1
April 15
NY Islanders
4–1
Washington
Holtby
18,506
0–1
Recap
2
April 17
NY Islanders
3–4
Washington
Grubauer
18,506
1–1
Recap
3
April 19
Washington
1–2
NY Islanders
OT
Holtby
16,170
1–2
Recap
4
April 21
Washington
2–1
NY Islanders
OT
Holtby
16,170
2–2
Recap
5
April 23
NY Islanders
1–5
Washington
Holtby
18,506
3–2
Recap
6
April 25
Washington
1–3
NY Islanders
Holtby
16,170
3–3
Recap
7
April 27
NY Islanders
1–2
Washington
Holtby
18,506
4–3
Recap
Eastern Conference Second Round vs. (M1) New York Rangers: Rangers win 4–3
#
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Series
Recap
1
April 30
Washington
2–1
NY Rangers
Holtby
18,006
1–0
Recap
2
May 2
Washington
2–3
NY Rangers
Holtby
18,006
1–1
Recap
3
May 4
NY Rangers
0–1
Washington
Holtby
18,506
2–1
Recap
4
May 6
NY Rangers
1–2
Washington
Holtby
18,506
3–1
Recap
5
May 8
Washington
1–2
NY Rangers
OT
Holtby
18,006
3–2
Recap
6
May 10
NY Rangers
4–3
Washington
Holtby
18,506
3–3
Recap
7
May 13
Washington
1–2
NY Rangers
OT
Holtby
18,006
3–4
Recap
Legend :
Win
Loss
Player statistics
Final stats
Skaters
Goaltenders
Regular Season[ 5]
Player
GP
GS
TOI
W
L
OT
GA
GAA
SA
SV%
SO
G
A
PIM
Braden Holtby
73
72
4247
41
20
10
157
2.22
2044
.923
9
0
2
2
Justin Peters
12
9
647
3
6
1
35
3.25
294
.881
0
0
0
0
Philipp Grubauer
1
1
65
1
0
0
2
1.85
25
.920
0
0
0
0
Playoffs[ 6]
Player
GP
GS
TOI
W
L
GA
GAA
SA
SV%
SO
G
A
PIM
Braden Holtby
13
13
806
6
7
23
1.71
412
.944
1
0
1
0
Philipp Grubauer
1
1
60
1
0
3
3.00
21
.857
0
0
0
0
† 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.
Notable achievements
Awards
Milestones
Regular Season
Player
Milestone
Reached
L. O'Brien
1st Career NHL Game
October 9, 2014
A. Burakovsky
1st Career NHL Game 1st Career NHL Goal 1st Career NHL Point
October 9, 2014
A. Burakovsky
1st Career NHL Assist
October 14, 2014
L. O'Brien
1st Career NHL Goal
October 26, 2014
J. Chimera
800th Career NHL Game
October 29, 2014
M. Niskanen
500th Career NHL Game
October 29, 2014
M. Johansson
100th Career NHL Assist
November 2, 2014
A. Ovechkin
Capitals All-Time Franchise Points Record
November 4, 2014
J. Beagle
200th Career NHL Game
November 7, 2014
A. Ovechkin
400th Career NHL Assist
November 8, 2014
A. Ovechkin
700th Career NHL Game
November 26, 2014
E. Fehr
400th Career NHL Game
December 2, 2014
J. Ward
200th Career NHL Point
December 6, 2014
B. Laich
300th Career NHL Point
December 6, 2014
T. Wilson
100th Career NHL Game
December 11, 2014
M. Johansson
300th Career NHL Game
January 1, 2015
N. Backstrom
400th Career NHL Assist
January 27, 2015
T. Brouwer
500th Career NHL Game
February 3, 2015
K. Alzner
400th Career NHL Game
February 11, 2015
J. Ward
500th Career NHL Game
March 3, 2015
N. Backstrom
Capitals All-Time Franchise Assists Record
March 15, 2015
S. Galiev
1st Career NHL Game
April 8, 2015
B. Holtby
20th Career NHL Shutout
April 8, 2015
S. Galiev
1st Career NHL Goal 1st Career NHL Point
April 11, 2015
Transactions
The Capitals have been involved in the following transactions during the 2014–15 season.
Trades
Free agents acquired
Date
Player
Former team
Contract terms (in U.S. dollars )
Ref
July 1, 2014
Brooks Orpik
Pittsburgh Penguins
5-years, $27.5 million
[ 15]
July 1, 2014
Justin Peters
Carolina Hurricanes
2-years, $1.9 million
[ 16]
July 1, 2014
Matt Niskanen
Pittsburgh Penguins
7-years, $40.25 million
[ 17]
July 1, 2014
Mike Moore
Providence Bruins
1-year, $550,000
[ 18]
July 1, 2014
Jon Landry
Iowa Wild
1-year, $550,000
[ 18]
July 1, 2014
Chris Conner
Pittsburgh Penguins
1 year, $550,000
[ 19]
July 4, 2014
Tim Kennedy
Arizona Coyotes
1-year, $550,000
[ 20]
July 4, 2014
Kris Newbury
Philadelphia Flyers
1-year, $550,000
[ 20]
October 6, 2014
Liam O'Brien
Rouyn-Noranda Huskies
3 years, $1.865 million entry-level contract
[ 21]
Free agents lost
Date
Player
New team
Contract terms (in U.S. dollars)
Ref
July 1, 2014
David Leggio
New York Islanders
1 year, $700,000
[ 22]
July 2, 2014
Joel Rechlicz
Minnesota Wild
1 year, $600,000
[ 23]
July 2, 2014
Mikhail Grabovski
New York Islanders
4 years, $20 million
[ 24]
July 3, 2014
Tyson Strachan
Buffalo Sabres
1 year, $650,000
[ 25]
August 8, 2014
Julien Brouillette
Winnipeg Jets
1 year, $600,000
[ 26]
Claimed via waivers
Player
Previous team
Date
Lost via waivers
Player signings
Date
Player
Contract terms (in U.S. dollars)
Ref
July 1, 2014
Michael Latta
2-years, $1.15 million
[ 27]
July 9, 2014
Edward Pasquale
1-year, $550,000
[ 28]
July 13, 2014
Nate Schmidt
1-year, $625,000
[ 29]
July 15, 2014
Vitek Vanecek
3-year, $2.3275 million entry-level contract
[ 30]
July 15, 2014
Jakub Vrana
3-year, $2.775 million entry-level contract
[ 31]
July 25, 2014
Nathan Walker
3-year, entry-level contract
[ 32]
September 9, 2014
Cameron Schilling
1 year
[ 33]
March 4, 2015
Tyler Lewington
3-year, entry-level contract
[ 34]
March 31, 2015
Travis Boyd
2-year, entry-level contract
[ 35]
April 17, 2015
Riley Barber
2-year, entry-level contract
[ 36]
June 2, 2015
Garrett Mitchell
2-years
[ 37]
June 15, 2015
Philipp Grubauer
2-years, $1.5 million
[ 38]
June 17, 2015
Nate Schmidt
2-years, $1.625 million
[ 39]
Suspensions/fines
Player
Explanation
Length
Salary
Date issued
Tom Wilson
Diving/Embellishment during NHL Game No. 1057 in Minnesota on Thursday, March 19, 2015, at 14:45 of the second period.
–
$2,000.00
March 27, 2015[ 40]
Draft picks
The 2014 NHL Entry Draft will be held on June 27–28, 2014, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania .
Notes
References
^ "2014–2015 NHL Attendance – National Hockey League – ESPN" . ESPN.
^ National Hockey League (2012). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book/2013 . Triumph Books. p. 127 . ISBN 978-1-60078-785-0 .
^ https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/washington-capitals-fire-head-coach-and-long-time-gm/article18280953/ [dead link ]
^ capitalstoday.com. "CAPITALS PROMOTE BRIAN MACLELLAN TO GENERAL MANAGER, NAME BARRY TROTZ COACH" . Caps PR. Retrieved May 26, 2014 .
^ a b "2014-2015 Regular Season Stats - Points - Washington Capitals - Statistics" . Washington Capitals. Retrieved March 19, 2015 .
^ a b "2014-2015 Playoffs Season Stats - Points - Washington Capitals - Statistics" . Washington Capitals. Retrieved March 19, 2015 .
^ "Oshie, Ovechkin, Price named NHL's Three Stars" . NHL. January 5, 2015.
^ "2015 NHL All-Star selections highlighted by three Columbus Blue Jackets" . NHL. January 10, 2015.
^ "Ovechkin, Tavares, Rask named 'Stars' for January" . NHL. February 2, 2015.
^ "Dubnyk, Price, Ovechkin named NHL's three stars for February" . NHL. March 1, 2015.
^ "2014 NHL DRAFT: ROUND 2 – Buffalo Sabres – News" . Buffalo Sabres. June 28, 2014.
^ "Jets Make Six Selections & Two Trades on Day Two of Draft" . Winnipeg Jets. June 28, 2014.
^ "Capitals Acquire Tim Gleason from Carolina" . Washington Capitals. February 28, 2015.
^ "Capitals Acquire Curtis Glencross from Calgary" . Washington Capitals. March 1, 2015.
^ "Capitals Sign Brooks Orpik" .
^ "Capitals Sign Justin Peters" .
^ "Capitals Sign Matt Niskanen" .
^ a b "Capitals Sign Jon Landry and Mike Moore" .
^ "Capitals Sign Chris Conner" .
^ a b Capital's Today. "Capitals Sign Tim Kennedy and Kris Newbury - Capital's Today" . Capital's Today .
^ "Capitals Sign Liam O'Brien" .
^ "New York Islanders - Islanders Sign Three To Two-Way Deals" .
^ "Wild Signs Rechlicz To Two-Way Deal" .
^ "New York Islanders - Islanders Agree to Terms with Grabovski" .
^ "SABRES SIGN DEFENSEMAN TYSON STRACHAN" .
^ "Jets Agree to Terms with Julien Brouillette" .
^ "Capitals Re-sign Michael Latta" .
^ "Pasquale signs two-way contract with Capitals" . NHL.com .
^ Capital's Today. "Capitals Re-sign Nate Schmidt - Capital's Today" . Capital's Today .
^ Capital's Today. "Capitals Sign Vitek Vanecek - Capital's Today" . Capital's Today .
^ Capital's Today. "Capitals Sign Jakub Vrana - Capital's Today" . Capital's Today . Archived from the original on July 17, 2014. Retrieved July 15, 2014 .
^ "Capitals Sign Nathan Walker" .
^ "Capitals Re-sign Cameron Schilling" .
^ "Capitals Sign Tyler Lewington" .
^ "Capitals Sign Travis Boyd" .
^ "Capitals Sign Riley Barber" .
^ "Capitals Re-sign Garrett Mitchell" .
^ "Capitals Re-sign Philipp Grubauer" .
^ "Capitals Re-sign Nate Schmidt" .
^ "Capitals' Wilson fined $2,000 for diving/embellishment" . NHL. March 27, 2015.
Franchise History Personnel Arenas Rivalries Affiliates Media Culture and lore
1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s