Back in 2003-04, the Washington Capitals had the worst record in the NHL and were set to have the top pick in the draft that summer. Everyone knows the team drafted Alex Ovechkin but what followed the draft was a long road. This town, area, and region all had a liking to the Redskins and with the impending NHL lockout presented the challenge of attracting fans. Of course that lockout was a challenge not just for the Capitals but every team in the league, but Washington was just starting a rebuild.
A good rookie year and Nicklas Backstrom getting drafted helped set the stage for an epic comeback season in 2007-08.