The 2008–09 Washington Capitals season was the team's 35th in the National Hockey League. The Capitals finished the regular season with a record of 50–24–8 and a team-record 108 points, and they won their second consecutive Southeast Division championship. They defeated the New York Rangers in the first round of the 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs 4–3, overcoming a 3–1 series deficit. The Capitals were then defeated by the eventual champion Pittsburgh Penguins in the Eastern Conference Semifinals in seven games.

Pre-season

Schedule/Results from capitals.nhl.com

Regular season

Division standings

Conference standings

Schedule and results

Full schedule, results, and recaps at capitals.nhl.com

Playoffs

The Washington Capitals won the Southeast Division and qualified for the playoffs for the second straight season. The Capitals would eventually win the first round against the New York Rangers, in seven games, after trailing the series 3–1 for their first playoff series victory since reaching the Stanley Cup Finals in 1998. However, the Capitals would not get past the Pittsburgh Penguins and lost the series in seven games. Key: Win Loss Clinch Playoff Series Eliminated from playoffs

Player statistics

Skaters

Goaltenders

†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Capitals. Stats reflect time with the Capitals only. ‡Traded mid-season Bold/italics denotes franchise record

Awards and records

Trophies and awards

Stars

Records

Milestones

Transactions

Trades

Free agents

Claimed from waivers

Draft picks

Washington 's picks at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft in Ottawa, Ontario.

Farm teams

Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL) and the South Carolina Stingrays of the ECHL.