Washington Capitals

The Washington Capitals bring red, white, and blue hockey to the nation's capital, anchored for nearly two decades by one of the game's greatest goal scorers, Alex Ovechkin. Playing at Capital One Arena, the Caps built a reputation for high-powered offense and passionate fan support through years of playoff heartbreak before finally breaking through. Washington's 2018 championship run remains one of the most celebrated moments in the city's sports history.

Founded in 1974, the Capitals spent decades as a strong regular-season team that repeatedly fell short in the playoffs, including a Stanley Cup Final loss in 1998. The arrival of Alex Ovechkin in 2005 ushered in a new era of offensive dominance, culminating in the franchise's first Stanley Cup in 2018, when Washington beat Vegas in five games. Ovechkin has since become the NHL's all-time leading goal scorer, cementing his and the franchise's place in league history.