2015-16 Washington Capitals
56-18-8 120 points
Stanley Cup Champ – Pittsburgh Penguins
I should just group the next two seasons together because each follows a similar trend with the same results. Washington had a great regular season in 2015-16, and Barry Trotz led the team to a 56-18-8 record. The Capitals were ready to make a run for the Cup.
The first round ended well for the Capitals. They managed to beat the Philadelphia Flyers in 6 games and were set to face off against the Pittsburgh Penguins in round 2. Pittsburgh was led by Sidney Crosby who was in desperate need of a Stanley Cup, having failed to win one since 2009.
Although the Capitals managed to win Game 1 in OT, they dropped Games 2-4 to the Penguins, all by one goal. Then, in Game 5 on home ice things turned back in favor for the Capitals, as they won 3-1 on May 7th, 2016.
Unfortunately still down 3-2, the Capitals would need to win two more games to go on to the next round. Back in Pittsburgh the Penguins beat the Capitals and ended Alex Ovechkin’s trip to the Stanley Cup, good news for Alex, there is always next year.