<P> The Capitals were founded in 1974 as an expansion franchise , alongside the Kansas City Scouts . Since purchasing the team in 1999 , Leonsis revitalized the franchise by drafting star players such as Alexander Ovechkin , Nicklas Backstrom , Mike Green and Braden Holtby . The 2009 -- 10 Capitals won the franchise 's first - ever Presidents ' Trophy for being the team with the most points at the end of the regular season . They won it a second time in 2015 -- 16 , and did so for a third time the following season in 2016 -- 17 . In addition to eleven division titles and three Presidents ' Trophies , the Capitals have reached the Stanley Cup Finals twice ( in 1998 and 2018 ) , winning in 2018 . </P>
<P> The Capitals were founded in 1974 as an expansion franchise , alongside the Kansas City Scouts . Since purchasing the team in 1999 , Leonsis revitalized the franchise by drafting star players such as Alexander Ovechkin , Nicklas Backstrom , Mike Green and Braden Holtby . The 2009 -- 10 Capitals won the franchise 's first - ever Presidents ' Trophy for being the team with the most points at the end of the regular season . They won it a second time in 2015 -- 16 , and did so for a third time the following season in 2016 -- 17 . In addition to eleven division titles and three Presidents ' Trophies , the Capitals have reached the Stanley Cup Finals twice ( in 1998 and 2018 ) , winning in 2018 . </P>
when 's the last time washington won the stanley cup
when 's the last time washington won the stanley cup
2018
2018