2020–21 Washington Capitals season
2020–21 Washington Capitals | |
---|---|
Division | 2nd East |
2020–21 record | 36–15–5 |
Home record | 17–8–3 |
Road record | 19–7–2 |
Goals for | 191 |
Goals against | 163 |
Team information | |
General manager | Brian MacLellan |
Coach | Peter Laviolette[1] |
Captain | Alexander Ovechkin |
Alternate captains | Nicklas Backstrom John Carlson |
Arena | Capital One Arena |
Minor league affiliate(s) | Hershey Bears (AHL) South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL) |
Team leaders | |
Goals | Alexander Ovechkin (24) |
Assists | Nicklas Backstrom (38) |
Points | Nicklas Backstrom (53) |
Penalty minutes | Tom Wilson (96) |
Plus/minus | Dmitry Orlov (+16) |
Wins | Vitek Vanecek (21) |
Goals against average | Craig Anderson (2.13) |
The 2020–21 Washington Capitals season was the 47th season for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on June 11, 1974.[2] This was the first season for Peter Laviolette as head coach of the Capitals[3] after their former head coach Todd Reirden was fired from the team on August 23, 2020.[4] On December 20, 2020, the league temporarily realigned into four divisions with no conferences due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing closure of the Canada–United States border. As a result of this realignment, the Capitals would play this season in the East Division and would play against only the other teams in their new division during the regular season and potentially the first two rounds of the playoffs.
On April 29, the Capitals clinched a playoff berth after a 5–4 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.[5] As a result of the Capitals winning in overtime against the Philadelphia Flyers while the Penguins won in regulation against the Buffalo Sabres on May 8, the Penguins won the East division title,[6] and the Capitals failed to win the division for the first time since the 2014–15 season. They were eliminated from the playoffs in the First Round with a 3–1 loss to the Boston Bruins in game five on May 23.
Standings[]
Divisional standings[]
Pos | Team | GP | W | L | OTL | RW | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | y – Pittsburgh Penguins | 56 | 37 | 16 | 3 | 29 | 196 | 156 | +40 | 77 |
2 | x – Washington Capitals | 56 | 36 | 15 | 5 | 29 | 191 | 163 | +28 | 77 |
3 | x – Boston Bruins | 56 | 33 | 16 | 7 | 25 | 168 | 136 | +32 | 73 |
4 | x – New York Islanders | 56 | 32 | 17 | 7 | 24 | 156 | 128 | +28 | 71 |
5 | e – New York Rangers | 56 | 27 | 23 | 6 | 24 | 177 | 157 | +20 | 60 |
6 | e – Philadelphia Flyers | 56 | 25 | 23 | 8 | 17 | 163 | 201 | −38 | 58 |
7 | e – New Jersey Devils | 56 | 19 | 30 | 7 | 15 | 145 | 194 | −49 | 45 |
8 | e – Buffalo Sabres | 56 | 15 | 34 | 7 | 11 | 138 | 199 | −61 | 37 |
Rules for classification: 1) Fewer number of games played (GP, only during regular season); 2) Greater number of regulation wins (RW); 3) Greater number of wins in regulation and overtime, excluding shootout wins (ROW); 4) Greater number of total wins, including shootouts (W); 5) Greater number of points earned in head-to-head play; if teams played an uneven number of head-to-head games, the result of the first game on the home ice of the team with the extra home game is discarded; 6) Greater goal differential (GD); 7) Greater number of goals scored (GF)
e – Eliminated from playoff contention; x – Clinched playoff spot; y – Clinched division
Schedule and results[]
Regular season[]
The regular season schedule was published on December 23, 2020.[8]
2020–21 game log | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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January: 6–0–3 (Home: 4–0–1; Road: 2–0–2)
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February: 6–5–1 (Home: 3–3–1; Road: 3–2–0)
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March: 11–3–0 (Home: 6–1–0; Road: 5–2–0)
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April: 9–5–1 (Home: 2–2–1; Road: 7–3–0)
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May: 4–2–0 (Home: 2–2–0; Road: 2–0–0)
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Win (2 Points) Loss (0 points) Overtime/shootout loss (1 point) Postponement |
Playoffs[]
2021 Stanley Cup playoffs |
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East Division First Round vs. (E3) Boston Bruins: Boston won 4–1 |
Win Loss |
Player statistics[]
Skaters[]
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Goaltenders[]
Player | GP | GS | TOI | W | L | OT | GA | GAA | SA | SV% | SO | G | A | PIM |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vitek Vanecek | 37 | 36 | 2,115:29 | 21 | 10 | 4 | 95 | 2.69 | 1,031 | .908 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Ilya Samsonov | 19 | 18 | 1,092:49 | 13 | 4 | 1 | 49 | 2.69 | 499 | .902 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Craig Anderson | 4 | 2 | 168:44 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2.13 | 71 | .915 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Player | GP | GS | TOI | W | L | GA | GAA | SA | SV% | SO | G | A | PIM |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Craig Anderson | 2 | 1 | 112:10 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2.67 | 70 | .929 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Ilya Samsonov | 3 | 3 | 200:55 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 2.99 | 99 | .899 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Vitek Vanecek | 1 | 1 | 13:10 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4.56 | 4 | .750 | 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.
Draft picks[]
Below are the Washington Capitals' selections at the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, which was originally scheduled for June 26–27, 2020 at the Bell Center in Montreal, Quebec, but was postponed on March 25, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On October 6–7, 2020 the draft was held virtually via Video conference call from the NHL Network studio in Secaucus, New Jersey.
Round | # | Player | Pos | Nationality | College/Junior/Club Team (League) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 22 | Hendrix Lapierre | C | ![]() |
Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL) |
4 | 117 | RW | ![]() |
Dynamo Moscow 2 (MHL) | |
5 | 148 | D | ![]() |
Spokane Chiefs (WHL) | |
6 | 179 | G | ![]() |
Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) | |
7 | 211 | LW | ![]() |
Malmö Redhawks (SHL) |
References[]
- ^ "Capitals Name Peter Laviolette Head Coach". NHL.com. September 15, 2020. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
- ^ National Hockey League (2012). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book/2013. Triumph Books. p. 127. ISBN 978-1-60078-785-0.
- ^ Kaplan, Emily (September 15, 2020). "Peter Laviolette named head coach of Washington Capitals". ESPN.com. ESPN Enterprises. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
- ^ Gulitti, Tom (August 23, 2020). "Reirden fired as Capitals coach after another loss in Eastern First Round". NHL.com. NHL Enterprises, L. P. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
- ^ "Penguins, Capitals each clinch playoff berth in OT game". NHL.com. April 29, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
- ^ "Penguins Clinch East Division Title". NHL.com. May 8, 2021. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
- ^ "NHL Hockey Standings". www.nhl.com. National Hockey League.
- ^ "2020-21 NHL schedule announced". NHL.com. December 23, 2020. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
- ^ "Washington Capitals - Buffalo Sabres - January 14th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Washington Capitals - Buffalo Sabres - January 15th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Washington Capitals - Pittsburgh Penguins - January 17th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Washington Capitals - Pittsburgh Penguins - January 19th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Buffalo Sabres - Washington Capitals - January 22nd, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Buffalo Sabres - Washington Capitals - January 24th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "New York Islanders - Washington Capitals - January 26th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "New York Islanders - Washington Capitals - January 28th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Boston Bruins - Washington Capitals - January 30th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Boston Bruins - Washington Capitals - February 1st, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Washington Capitals - New York Rangers - February 4th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Philadelphia Flyers - Washington Capitals - February 7th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Flyers-Capitals postponed because of NHL COVID-19 protocol". NHL.com. February 9, 2021. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
- ^ "NHL announces updates to regular-season schedule". NHL.com. February 23, 2021. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
- ^ "NHL postpones additional Devils, Sabres, Wild games due to COVID-19". NHL.com. February 8, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ a b "NHL announces updates to regular-season schedule". NHL.com. February 16, 2021. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
- ^ "Washington Capitals - Pittsburgh Penguins - February 14th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Washington Capitals - Pittsburgh Penguins - February 16th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Buffalo Sabres - Washington Capitals - February 18th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "New York Rangers - Washington Capitals - February 20th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "New Jersey Devils - Washington Capitals - February 21st, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Pittsburgh Penguins - Washington Capitals - February 23rd, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Pittsburgh Penguins - Washington Capitals - February 25th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Washington Capitals - New Jersey Devils - February 27th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Washington Capitals - New Jersey Devils - February 28th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Washington Capitals - Boston Bruins - March 3rd, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Washington Capitals - Boston Bruins - March 5th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Washington Capitals - Philadelphia Flyers - March 7th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "New Jersey Devils - Washington Capitals - March 9th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Washington Capitals - Philadelphia Flyers - March 11th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Washington Capitals - Philadelphia Flyers - March 13th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Washington Capitals - Buffalo Sabres - March 15th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "New York Islanders - Washington Capitals - March 16th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "New York Rangers - Washington Capitals - March 19th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "New York Rangers - Washington Capitals - March 20th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "New Jersey Devils - Washington Capitals - March 25th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "New Jersey Devils - Washington Capitals - March 26th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "New York Rangers - Washington Capitals - March 28th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Washington Capitals - New York Rangers - March 30th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Washington Capitals - New York Islanders - April 1st, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Washington Capitals - New Jersey Devils - April 2nd, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Washington Capitals - New Jersey Devils - April 4th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Washington Capitals - New York Islanders - April 6th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Boston Bruins - Washington Capitals - April 8th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Washington Capitals - Buffalo Sabres - April 9th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Washington Capitals - Boston Bruins - April 11th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Philadelphia Flyers - Washington Capitals - April 13th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Buffalo Sabres - Washington Capitals - April 15th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Washington Capitals - Philadelphia Flyers - April 17th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Washington Capitals - Boston Bruins - April 18th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Washington Capitals - New York Islanders - April 22nd, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Washington Capitals - New York Islanders - April 24th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "New York Islanders - Washington Capitals - April 27th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Pittsburgh Penguins - Washington Capitals - April 29th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Pittsburgh Penguins - Washington Capitals - May 1st, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Washington Capitals - New York Rangers - May 3rd, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Washington Capitals - New York Rangers - May 5th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Philadelphia Flyers - Washington Capitals - May 7th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Philadelphia Flyers - Washington Capitals - May 8th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Boston Bruins - Washington Capitals - May 11th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Boston Bruins - Washington Capitals - May 15th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Boston Bruins - Washington Capitals - May 17th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Washington Capitals - Boston Bruins - May 19th, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Washington Capitals - Boston Bruins - May 21st, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "Boston Bruins - Washington Capitals - May 23rd, 2021". NHL.com.
- ^ "2020–21 Regular season – Washington Capitals Stats – Skaters". NHL.com. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
- ^ "2020–21 Playoffs – Washington Capitals Stats – Skaters". NHL.com. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
- ^ "2020–21 Regular season – Washington Capitals Stats – Goalies". NHL.com. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
- ^ "2020–21 Playoffs – Washington Capitals Stats – Goalies". NHL.com. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
Notes[]
- ^ Spectators were in attendance, but the exact number was not reported.
- Washington Capitals seasons
- 2020–21 NHL season by team
- 2020 in sports in Washington, D.C.
- 2021 in sports in Washington, D.C.