 The Capitals would make the playoffs for each of the next 14 years in a row, becoming known for starting slow before catching fire in January and February.However, regular-season success did not carry into the playoffs.Despite a continuous march of stars like Gartner, Carpenter, Langway, Gustafsson, Stevens, Mike Ridley, Dave Christian, Dino Ciccarelli, Larry Murphy, and Kevin Hatcher, Washington was knocked out in either the first or second round seven years in a row.