2003–04 Washington Capitals season

The 2003–04 Washington Capitals season was the Capitals's 30th season of play. The team finished in fifth and last-place in the Southeast Division, and fourteenth overall in the Eastern Conference, to miss the playoffs for the first time since the 2001–02 season. == Regular season == On December 10, 2003, head coach Bruce Cassidy was fired after a disappointing 8–18–1–1 start to the season. Assistant coach Glen Hanlon was named his replacement. The Capitals were the most penalized team in the League, with 401 power-play opportunities against. They also scored the fewest short-handed goals in the League, with just 4. === Final standings === Note: CR = Conference rank; GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; OTL = Overtime loss; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points Bolded teams qualified for the playoffs. Divisions: AT – Atlantic, NE – Northeast, SE – Southeast Z – Clinched conference; Y – Clinched division; X – Clinched playoff spot == Schedule and results == == Player statistics == === Scoring === Position abbreviations: C = Center; D = Defense; G = Goaltender; LW = Left wing; RW = Right wing † = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Capitals only. ‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Capitals only. === Goaltending === † = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Capitals only. == Awards and records == === Awards === === Milestones === == Transactions == The Capitals were involved in the following transactions from June 10, 2003, the day after the deciding game of the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals, through June 7, 2004, the day of the deciding game of the 2004 Stanley Cup Finals. === Trades === === Players acquired === === Players lost === === Signings === == Draft picks == Washington's draft picks at the 2003 NHL entry draft held at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, Tennessee. == Farm teams == The Capitals main American Hockey League affiliate was the Portland Pirates. Though they had no direct ECHL affiliate, players were sent from time to time between the Dayton Bombers and Reading Royals. == See also == 2003–04 NHL season == Notes == == References ==