Washington Capitals Enter Historic 50th NHL Season

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The Washington Capitals enter their 50th NHL season on Saturday night when they host the New Jersey Devils for the season opener on the 2024-25 schedule in Washington, D.C. Generational scoring threat Alexander Ovechkin returns for his 20th season with eyes on eclipsing Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL goal mark of 894 career NHL goals in the league. The captain of the Capitals hockey club is just 42 goals short of the record with 853 goal celebrations in his NHL career.

Washington slipped into the 2023-24 NHL postseason in the final moments with a win over the Philadelphia Flyers last season. However, the good vibes did not last after a sweep at the hands of the New York Rangers in the first round.

Caps Seeks A Decade of Playoffs Appearances

Despite recent first-round exits, the Washington Capitals have been a consistent entrant to the postseason NHL tournament over the last decade. Entering the 2024-25 season, Washington looks to earn their 10th playoff appearance in 11 seasons. Since the 2007-08 season, the Capitals are tied with the Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins with 15 playoff appearances.

Overall, the Washington Capitals have 34 appearances in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. They’ve competed in two Stanley Cup Finals and won their only championship in 2018 in a 5-game series win over the Las Vegas Golden Knights. Alexander Ovechkin claimed the Conn Smyth trophy as playoff MVP after a 15-goal postseason performance.

A Friendly Face Returns to D.C.

A member of the memorable Stanley Cup-winning 2018 Washington Capitals returns home as Jakub Vrana signed a one-year, $775,000 one-way contract. Vrana, 28, was drafted by Washington in the First round of the 2014 NHL draft. During the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Vrana scored two game-winning goals and eight totals as the Washington Capitals claimed the ultimate hockey prize.

At the 2021 trade deadline, Jakub Vrana was traded to the Detroit Red Wings in a deal for center Anthony Mantha. The 28-year-old forward has competed in 367 career NHL games recording 110 goals. Vrana is one assist shy of the 100-assist milestone for his NHL career. Jakub Vrana spent the last two seasons playing limited games for the St. Louis Blues. He skated in 21 games for the Blues contributing 6 points on the season.

Washington Capitals Honor Longtime Supporters

To celebrate their Golden Anniversary, members of the Washington Capitals surprised inaugural season-ticket holders from the 1974-75 season with a special delivery. On Monday afternoon, the team hand-delivered season tickets and a 50th Anniversary gift to unsuspecting ticket holders around the Washington metro area following practice. According to the Caps website, the original season ticket holder list was only 36 members long.

Washington Capitals ticket holders do not have to wait long to redeem those vouchers as the Caps open their season against the New Jersey Devils (1-2) on Saturday night at Capital One Arena.

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Article originally written by Christopher Babos.