2010–11 Washington Capitals season

The 2010–11 Washington Capitals season is the 37th season for the Washington Capitals in the National Hockey League (NHL). Despite the Capitals' first round exit in the 2010 Playoffs, ticket prices for this season were increased between 13 and 50 percent.Capitals Raise Ticket Prices Again, Washington Post, February 18, 2010.

Regular season The Capitals finished the regular season having been shut out a league-high 11 times, tied with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Late into the season, they also set a franchise record for the fewest shots on goal attempted in a win, twelve in a 3–0 shutout win over the New Jersey Devils on March 18, 2011.

Divisional standings

Conference standings

Schedule and results

Pre-season 2010 Pre-season: 5–1–0 (Home: 2–1–0; Road: 3–0–0) # Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Record Recap 1 September 22 Washington Capitals 6 – 2 Columbus Blue Jackets Holtby 1-0-0 2 September 25 Washington Capitals 2 – 1 Nashville Predators Neuvirth 2-0-0 3 September 28 Boston Bruins 2 – 3 Washington Capitals Neuvirth 3-0-0 4 September 29 Washington Capitals 4 – 1 Boston Bruins Holtby 4-0-0 5 October 1 Columbus Blue Jackets 3 – 5 Washington Capitals Neuvirth 5-0-0 6 October 3 Nashville Predators 3 – 0 Washington Capitals Sabourin 5-1-0

Regular season

October: 7–4–0 (Home: 4–1–0; Road: 3–3–0) # Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Record Points Recap 1 8 Washington Capitals 2 – 4 Atlanta Thrashers Neuvirth 0–1–0 0 Recap 2 9 New Jersey Devils 2 – 7 Washington Capitals Neuvirth 1–1–0 2 Recap 3 11 Ottawa Senators 2 – 3 Washington Capitals OT Neuvirth 2–1–0 4 Recap 4 13 New York Islanders 1 – 2 Washington Capitals Neuvirth 3–1–0 6 Recap 5 16 Washington Capitals 3 – 2 Nashville Predators OT Neuvirth 4–1–0 8 Recap 6 19 Boston Bruins 3 – 1 Washington Capitals Neuvirth 4–2–0 8 Recap 7 21 Washington Capitals 1 – 4 Boston Bruins Varlamov 4–3–0 8 Recap 8 23 Atlanta Thrashers 3 – 4 Washington Capitals OT Neuvirth 5–3–0 10 Recap 9 27 Washington Capitals 3 – 0 Carolina Hurricanes Neuvirth 6–3–0 12 Recap 10 28 Washington Capitals 1 – 2 Minnesota Wild Neuvirth 6–4–0 12 Recap 11 30 Washington Capitals 7 – 2 Calgary Flames Neuvirth 7–4–0 14 Recap November: 10–2–2 (Home: 8–0–1; Road: 2–2–1) # Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Record Points Recap 12 3 Toronto Maple Leafs 4 – 5 Washington Capitals SO Neuvirth 8–4–0 16 Recap 13 5 Boston Bruins 3 – 5 Washington Capitals Holtby 9–4–0 18 Recap 14 7 Philadelphia Flyers 2 – 3 Washington Capitals OT Holtby 10–4–0 20 Recap 15 9 Washington Capitals 5 – 3 New York Rangers Neuvirth 11–4–0 22 Recap 16 11 Tampa Bay Lightning 3 – 6 Washington Capitals Neuvirth 12–4–0 24 Recap 17 13 Washington Capitals 2 – 3 Buffalo Sabres OT Holtby 12–4–1 25 Recap 18 14 Atlanta Thrashers 4 – 6 Washington Capitals Neuvirth 13–4–1 27 Recap 19 17 Buffalo Sabres 2 – 4 Washington Capitals Neuvirth 14–4–1 29 Recap 20 19 Washington Capitals 0 – 5 Atlanta Thrashers Neuvirth 14–5–1 29 Recap 21 20 Philadelphia Flyers 5 – 4 Washington Capitals SO Neuvirth 14–5–2 30 Recap 22 22 Washington Capitals 0 – 5 New Jersey Devils Holtby 14–6–2 30 Recap 23 24 Washington Capitals 3 – 2 Carolina Hurricanes Varlamov 15–6–2 32 Recap 24 26 Tampa Bay Lightning 0 – 6 Washington Capitals Varlamov 16–6–2 34 Recap 25 28 Carolina Hurricanes 2 – 3 Washington Capitals SO Varlamov 17–6–2 36 Recap December: 5–6–3 (Home: 2–4–3; Road: 3–2–0) # Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Record Points Recap 26 1 Washington Capitals 4 – 1 St. Louis Blues Varlamov 18–6–2 38 Recap 27 2 Washington Capitals 1 – 2 Dallas Stars Neuvirth 18–7–2 38 Recap 28 4 Atlanta Thrashers 3 – 1 Washington Capitals Varlamov 18–8–2 38 Recap 29 6 Toronto Maple Leafs 5 – 4 Washington Capitals SO Neuvirth 18–8–3 39 Recap 30 9 Florida Panthers 3 – 0 Washington Capitals Varlamov 18–9–3 39 Recap 31 11 Colorado Avalanche 3 – 2 Washington Capitals Neuvirth 18–10–3 39 Recap 32 12 Washington Capitals 0 – 7 New York Rangers Varlamov 18–11–3 39 Recap 33 15 Anaheim Ducks 2 – 1 Washington Capitals OT Varlamov 18–11–4 40 Recap 34 18 Boston Bruins 3 – 2 Washington Capitals Neuvirth 18–12–4 40 Recap 35 19 Washington Capitals 3 – 2 Ottawa Senators Neuvirth 19–12–4 42 Recap 36 21 New Jersey Devils 1 – 5 Washington Capitals Neuvirth 20–12–4 44 Recap 37 23 Pittsburgh Penguins 3 – 2 Washington Capitals SO Neuvirth 20–12–5 45 Recap 38 26 Washington Capitals 3 – 2 Carolina Hurricanes Varlamov 21–12–5 47 Recap 39 28 Montreal Canadiens 0 – 3 Washington Capitals Varlamov 22–12–5 49 Recap January: 5–3–4 (Home: 2–1–2; Road: 3–2–2) # Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Record Points Recap 40 1 Washington Capitals 3 – 1 Pittsburgh Penguins Varlamov 23-12-5 51 Recap 41 4 Tampa Bay Lightning 1 – 0 Washington Capitals OT Varlamov 23-12-6 52 Recap 42 8 Florida Panthers 2 – 3 Washington Capitals Varlamov 24-12-6 54 Recap 43 11 Washington Capitals 3 – 4 Florida Panthers OT Neuvirth 24-12-7 55 Recap 44 12 Washington Capitals 0 – 3 Tampa Bay Lightning Varlamov 24-13-7 55 Recap 45 14 Vancouver Canucks 4 – 2 Washington Capitals Varlamov 24-14-7 55 Recap 46 16 Ottawa Senators 1 – 3 Washington Capitals Neuvirth 25-14-7 57 Recap 47 18 Washington Capitals 2 – 3 Philadelphia Flyers OT Varlamov 25-14-8 58 Recap 48 20 Washington Capitals 2 – 1 New York Islanders Holtby 26-14-8 60 Recap 49 22 Washington Capitals 4 – 1 Toronto Maple Leafs Holtby 27-14-8 62 Recap 50 24 New York Rangers 2 – 1 Washington Capitals SO Holtby 27-14-9 63 Recap 51 26 Washington Capitals 0 – 1 Atlanta Thrashers Varlamov 27-15-9 63 Recap February: 6–5–1 (Home: 1–3–1; Road: 5–2–0) # Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Record Points Recap 52 1 Montreal Canadiens 3 – 2 Washington Capitals SO Varlamov 27–15–10 64 Recap 53 4 Washington Capitals 5 – 2 Tampa Bay Lightning Varlamov 28–16–10 66 Recap 54 6 Pittsburgh Penguins 0 – 3 Washington Capitals Neuvirth 29–16–10 68 Recap 55 8 San Jose Sharks 2 – 0 Washington Capitals Neuvirth 29–16–10 68 Recap 56 12 Los Angeles Kings 4 – 1 Washington Capitals Varlamov 29–16–10 68 Recap 57 14 Washington Capitals 2 – 3 Phoenix Coyotes Neuvirth 29–17–10 68 Recap 58 16 Washington Capitals 7 – 6 Anaheim Ducks Neuvirth 30–17–10 70 Recap 59 17 Washington Capitals 2 – 3 San Jose Sharks Neuvirth 30–18–10 70 Recap 60 20 Washington Capitals 2 – 1 Buffalo Sabres Varlamov 31–18–10 72 Recap 61 21 Washington Capitals 1 – 0 Pittsburgh Penguins Neuvirth 32–18–10 74 Recap 62 22 New York Rangers 6 – 0 Washington Capitals Neuvirth 32–19–10 74 Recap 63 26 Washington Capitals 3 – 2 New York Islanders Neuvirth 33–20–10 76 Recap March: 12–2–1 (Home: 6–0–1; Road: 6–2–0) # Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Record Points Recap 64 1 New York Islanders 1 – 2 Washington Capitals OT Neuvirth 34–20–10 78 Recap 65 3 St. Louis Blues 2 – 3 Washington Capitals Neuvirth 35–20–10 80 Recap 66 6 Washington Capitals 3 – 2 Florida Panthers OT Neuvirth 36–20–10 82 Recap 67 7 Washington Capitals 2 – 1 Tampa Bay Lightning SO HoltbyStarting goaltender Michal Neuvirth was pulled after the first period after an injury. 37–20–10 84 Recap 68 9 Edmonton Oilers 0 – 5 Washington Capitals Holtby 38–20–10 86 Recap 69 11 Carolina Hurricanes 1 – 5 Washington Capitals Holtby 39–20–10 88 Recap 70 13 Chicago Blackhawks 3 – 4 Washington Capitals OT Holtby 40–20–10 90 Recap 71 15 Washington Capitals 4 – 2 Montreal Canadiens Holtby 41–20–10 92 Recap 72 16 Washington Capitals 2 – 3 Detroit Red Wings Neuvirth 41–21–10 92 Recap 73 18 Washington Capitals 3 – 0 New Jersey Devils Neuvirth 42–21–10 94 Recap 74 22 Washington Capitals 5 – 4 Philadelphia Flyers SO Neuvirth 43–21–10 96 Recap 75 25 Washington Capitals 0 – 2 Ottawa Senators Varlamov 43–22–10 96 Recap 76 26 Washington Capitals 2 – 0 Montreal Canadiens Holtby 44–22–10 98 Recap 77 29 Carolina Hurricanes 3 – 2 Washington Capitals SO Varlamov 44–22–11 99 Recap 78 31 Columbus Blue Jackets 3 – 4 Washington Capitals OT Neuvirth 45–22–11 101 Recap April: 3–1–0 (Home: 1–0–0; Road: 2–1–0) # Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Record Points Recap 79 2 Buffalo Sabres 4 – 5 Washington Capitals OT Neuvirth 46–22–11 103 Recap 80 5 Washington Capitals 3 – 2 Toronto Maple Leafs SO Neuvirth 47–22–11 105 Recap 81 6 Washington Capitals 5 – 2 Florida Panthers Varlamov 48–22–11 107 Recap 82 9 Washington Capitals 0 – 1 Florida Panthers Neuvirth 48–23–11 107 Recap

Playoffs

The Capitals won the Southeast Division title for the fourth consecutive season. The Capitals also clinched as the Eastern Conference regular season champions. The Capitals played the New York Rangers in the opening round and won 4–1, but were swept by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

The Capitals' Game 4 double overtime victory in the first round over the New York Rangers is currently the longest playoff win in franchise history, lasting 92:36.

Key: Win Loss Clinch Playoff Series Eliminated from playoffs

2011 Stanley Cup PlayoffsEastern Conference Quarter-finals: vs. (8) New York Rangers - Washington wins series 4-1 # Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Series Recap 1 April 13 New York Rangers 1 - 2 Washington Capitals OT Neuvirth 18,398 Capitals lead 1 - 0 2 April 15 New York Rangers 0 - 2 Washington Capitals Neuvirth 18,398 Capitals lead 2 - 0 3 April 17 Washington Capitals 2 - 3 New York Rangers Neuvirth 18,200 Capitals lead 2 - 1 4 April 20 Washington Capitals 4 - 3 New York Rangers 2OT Neuvirth 18,200 Capitals lead 3 - 1 5 April 23 New York Rangers 1 - 3 Washington Capitals Neuvirth 18,398 Capitals win 4 - 1

Eastern Conference Semi-finals: vs. (5) Tampa Bay Lightning - Tampa Bay wins series 4-0 # Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Series Recap 1 April 29 Tampa Bay Lightning 4 - 2 Washington Capitals Neuvirth 18,398 Lightning lead 1 - 0 2 May 1 Tampa Bay Lightning 3 - 2 Washington Capitals OT Neuvirth 18,398 Lightning lead 2 - 0 3 May 3 Washington Capitals 3 - 4 Tampa Bay Lightning Neuvirth 20,600 Lightning lead 3 - 0 4 May 4 Washington Capitals 3 - 5 Tampa Bay Lightning Neuvirth 20,835 Lightning win 4 - 0

Player statistics

Skaters Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/− = Plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes

Regular season Player GP G A Pts +/− PIM 79 32 53 85 24 41 77 18 47 65 24 40 65 28 26 54 22 71 82 16 32 48 14 46 79 24 16 40 10 36 82 7 30 37 21 44 69 13 14 27 2 10 81 10 16 26 -10 64 49 8 16 24 6 48 77 9 16 25 -2 110 52 10 10 20 0 16 35 7 7 14 -3 20 82 2 10 12 14 24 ‡ 57 5 6 11 -3 24 61 4 7 11 -3 68 73 4 7 11 1 94 ‡ 23 4 6 10 3 10 72 1 9 10 6 12 60 3 6 9 -5 16 21 2 5 7 -4 8 † 11 4 3 7 3 8 † 14 1 6 7 7 6 33 1 5 6 -6 14 † 18 1 6 7 0 6 † 55 1 4 5 3 28 31 2 1 3 -2 8 9 1 1 2 -2 0 16 0 2 2 -3 30 4 1 0 1 2 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 7 0 1 1 -1 2 1 0 0 0 0 0

Playoffs Player GP G A Pts +/− PIM 9 5 5 10 -1 10 9 1 6 7 0 2 9 1 5 6 4 2 9 4 2 6 2 8 8 1 5 6 0 8 9 2 4 6 -2 0 9 2 2 4 -3 2 9 1 2 3 1 4 9 2 1 3 -2 4 6 2 0 2 2 8 9 1 1 2 1 6 9 0 2 2 0 4 9 0 1 1 1 2 5 1 0 1 3 0 9 0 1 1 -4 0 9 0 0 0 -3 4 7 0 0 0 -2 4 9 0 0 0 -1 6 9 0 0 0 1 6 1 0 0 0 0 0

Goaltenders Note: GP = Games played; Min = Time on ice (minutes); W = Wins; L = Losses; OT = Overtime losses; GA = Goals against; GAA= Goals against average; SA= Shots against; SV= Saves; Sv% = Save percentage; SO= Shutouts Regular season Player GP Min W L OT GA GAA SA Sv% SO G A PIM 48 2,689 27 12 4 110 2.45 1,283 .914 4 0 0 0 27 1,560 11 9 5 58 2.23 759 .924 2 0 0 2 14 736 10 2 2 22 1.79 332 .934 2 0 1 0

Playoffs Player GP Min W L GA GAA SA Sv% SO G A PIM 9 590 4 5 23 2.34 261 .912 1 0 0 0

†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

Awards