| abstract | - The 2007–08 Washington Capitals season began on October 5, 2007. It was the Washington Capitals' 33rd season in the National Hockey League. On November 22, coach Glen Hanlon was fired after starting the Capitals with a 6-14-1 record; the team's worst start since 1981–82. He was replaced by Bruce Boudreau on an interim basis until December 26, when Boudreau's position was made permanent. On March 21, LW Alexander Ovechkin scored his 60th goal of the season in a game against the Atlanta Thrashers, becoming the first NHL player to accomplish the feat in twelve years, and tying Dennis Maruk's single-season franchise record. He would go on to break the record in the Capitals' next game, a 3-2 shootout win over the Carolina Hurricanes on March 25. On April 3, Ovechkin scored twice to break Luc Robitaille's single-season LW goal scoring record of 63 goals. Ovechkin finished the regular season with 65 goals and 112 points and won the Hart Trophy, awarded to the NHL's Most Valuable Player. On April 5, the Capitals defeated the Florida Panthers 3-1 at home to clinch the franchise's third Southeast Division title and fourth division title overall. The Capitals became the first team in NHL history to make the playoffs after being ranked 14th or lower in the standings at the season's midpoint.. In the playoffs, the Capitals won their first game against the Philadelphia Flyers, but then lost three consecutive games to fall behind three games to one. They managed to win their next two games to force a game seven, but lost in overtime on a power play goal by Joffrey Lupul. __TOC__
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