| Washington Capitals playoff history 
 Overall playoff record: 64-73
 Stanley Cup championships: None
 
 
 
| YEAR | RESULTS |  
| 1998 | Defeated Boston, 4-2, Eastern Conf. quarterfinals Defeated Ottawa, 4-1, Eastern Conf. semifinals
 Defeated Buffal, 4-2, Eastern Conf. finals
 Lost to Detroit, 4-0, in Stanley Cup finals
 |  
| 1996 | Lost to Pittsburgh, 4-2, Eastern Conf. quarterfinals |  
| 1995 | Lost to Pittsburgh, 4-3, Eastern Conf. quarterfinals |  
| 1994 | Defeated Pittsburgh, 4-2, Eastern Conf. quarterfinals Lost to N.Y. Rangers, 4-1, Eastern Conf. semifinals
 |  
| 1993 | Lost to N.Y. Islanders, 4-2, Patrick Division semifinals |  
| 1992 | Lost to Pittsburgh, 4-3, Patrick Division semifinals |  
| 1991 | Defeated N.Y. Rangers, 4-2, Patrick Division semifinals Lost to Pittsburgh, 4-1, Patrick Division finals
 |  
| 1990 | Defeated New Jersey, 4-2, Patrick Division semifinals Defeated N.Y. Rangers, 4-1, Patrick Division finals
 Lost to Boston, 4-0, Wales Conference finals
 |  
| 1989 | Lost to Philadelphia, 4-2, Patrick Division semifinals |  
| 1988 | Defeated Philadelphia, 4-3, Patrick Division semifinals Lost to New Jersey, 4-3, Patrick Division finals
 |  
| 1987 | Lost to N.Y. Islanders, 4-3, Patrick Division semifinals |  
| 1986 | Defeated N.Y. Islanders, 3-0, Patrick Division semifinals Lost to N.Y. Rangers, 4-2, Patrick Division finals
 |  
| 1985 | Lost to N.Y. Islanders, 3-2, Patrick Division semifinals |  
| 1984 | Defeated Philadelphia, 3-0, Patrick Division semifinals Lost to N.Y. Islanders, 4-1, Patrick Division finals
 |  
| 1983 | Lost to N.Y. Islanders, 3-1, preliminary round |  |