The Capitals missed the playoffs, despite their amazing run to the 1998 Stanley Cup Finals the previous year.
The Caps opened the 1998–99 season by raising their "Eastern Conference Champions 1997–1998" banner to the rafters of the MCI Center then shutting out the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 1–0 with Olaf Kolzig making 29 saves.
On January 16, 1999, Kelly Miller scored just nine seconds into the overtime period to give the Caps a 3–2 road win over the Carolina Hurricanes.
A month after the season finale owner Abe Pollin announced he had sold the team to Ted Leonsis[5] The Caps were shut out an NHL-high 11 times.
[6] The Caps failed to make the playoffs after playing in the 1998 Stanley Cup Finals.