The 2004–05 Washington Capitals season was their 31st National Hockey League season. Its games were cancelled as the 2004–05 NHL lockout could not be resolved in time. As a result, Alexander Ovechkin, the first overall pick in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, would not make his NHL debut until the start of the 2005–06 season.

Schedule

The Capitals preseason and regular season schedules were announced on July 13 and July 14, 2004, respectively.

Transactions

The Capitals were involved in the following transactions from June 8, 2004, the day after the deciding game of the 2004 Stanley Cup Finals, through February 16, 2005, the day the season was officially cancelled.

Trades

Players acquired

Players lost

Signings

Draft picks

Washington's picks at the 2004 NHL entry draft, which was held at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina on June 26–27, 2004.