The Capitals joined the National Hockey League as an expansion team for the 1974-1975 season. Owner, Abe Pollin, who also owned the Washington Bullets built the Capital Centre in suburban Landover, Maryland to house both teams. He hired the Hall of Famer, Milt Schmidt as the general manger.
With a total of thirty teams between the National Hockey League (NHL) and the rival World Hockey Associate (WHA), the Capitals had a limited amount of players with professional experience and were at a disadvantage against the long standing teams such as the Scouts, Atlanta Flames and the New York Islanders. The Capitals never factored in the arrival of the World Hockey Association into their plans.
The Capitals inaugural season was absolutely terrible. It was considered to be the worst record in the league. They had won eight games out of the seventy games that are usually played during a season. Their .131 winning percentage is still the worst in the National Hockey League history. Throughout the years, the team switched numerous managers, captains were changed out, and several players were traded. In 1993, the Capitals had their first opportunity to play in the playoff series against the New York Islanders but did not win. In 1998, the Capitals had a chance for their first Stanley Cup appearance. They won six games against the Bruins and Sabres however could not win against champions, the Detroit Red Wings. Perhaps one of these years, their luck will turn and prove them as a strong team.
