Christiansen was re-signed by the Capitals for season 2008–09, however the team struggled near the foot of the table for the first half of the season. The Capitals showed dramatic improvement in the latter stages and qualified for a playoff position by finishing 8th for the second year in a row. League champions, Sheffield Steelers, defeated the Capitals 8–2 in the Quarter Final first leg, with the Capitals defeating the Steelers 5–4 at Murrayfield in the return leg (12–7 on aggregate). This season was notable in particular for the skill and contribution of Mark Hurtubise, who finished as the league's top point scorer, recording 89 points in 54 games. Hurtubise also made the Elite League All-Star Team.