The Washington Capitals clinched the Metropolitan Division title after defeating the Montreal Canadiens 2-1 at Capital One Arena Thursday night.
The division win was the Capitals fourth-straight and ninth over their last 12 years. They’ve won the division four straight times twice over that span from 2007-08 to 2010-11 and from 2015–16 to 2018-19.
According to the NHL’s PR, this is a historic accomplishment. The only other team to win the division four consecutive years multiple times is the Boston Bruins who did it three times since divisions were first introduced in 1926-27. The Bruins had 48 more years to accomplish the feat than the Capitals.
The @Capitals clinched first place in the Metropolitan Division for a fourth consecutive season.
They have won four straight division titles once before, claiming the No. 1 seed in the Southeast Division each year from 2007-08 to 2010-11. #NHLStats #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/G0NlNxNCG5
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 5, 2019
Since divisions were introduced in 1926-27, only one franchise has won at least four straight division titles on multiple occasions – the @NHLBruins from 1927-28 to 1930-31 (4) and again from 1975-76 to 1978-79 (4). #NHLStats #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/UZtIX3fhGC
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 5, 2019
The Capitals PR also observed that this Caps team became the third defending champions since 2003-04 to win their division.
The Capitals became the third reigning Stanley Cup champion to win its division since 2003-04 (Bruins in 2011-12 and Red Wings in 2008-09).
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) April 5, 2019
From the scouting staff and general managers to the coaches (minus Adam Oates) and the players, the Capitals have had a remarkable run of over the last decade plus. Way to go.
Full RMNB Coverage of Capitals vs Canadiens
Headline photo: NBC Sports Washington
