With the Washington Capitals celebrating their 50th anniversary, NoVa Caps is summarizing each of the team’s previous seasons, from earliest to most recent. Next up, the 1983-84 season, the tenth NHL season for the Washington Capitals.
Their record was 48-27-5 in 80 games for 101 points which was second in the Patrick Division and eighth best in the NHL. It was far and away the team’s best season in franchise history. The Capitals ranked 5th out of 21 for goals scored and 1st out of 21 for goals given up.
The season was a roller coaster season marked with streaks. They started the season with a seven-game losing streak and followed that up with a five-game winning streak. They were 18-19-2 on December 31.
Fortunately, the second half of the season was much better. They set a franchise record by winning ten consecutive games during late January and February. They also had a six-game winning streak in early March and a four-game winning streak later that month.
They won their first playoff series in franchise history by sweeping the Philadelphia Flyers in a best of five but lost in the second round against the New York Islanders, winning one game in their best of seven.
Three players topped 30 goals that season: Dennis Maruk, Mike Gartner, and Bobby Carpenter. Five other players scored 20 or more goals.
Notable Capitals Draftees in 1983 NHL Draft
- Tim Bergland (4th round — #75 overall)
General Manager: David Poile
Head Coaches: Bryan Murray
Captain: Rod Langway
Photo: Getty Images
Leaders
Goals: Mike Gartner (40), Bengt Gustafsson (32), Dave Christian (29)
Assists: Dave Christian (52), Mike Gartner (45), Bengt Gustafsson (43)
Points: Mike Gartner (85), Dave Christian (81), Bengt Gustafsson (75)
Penalty Minutes: Scott Stevens (201), Greg Adams (133)
Notable Trades
- June 9, 1983 – Traded 1st round pick (#14) to Winnipeg Jets for Dave Christian
- July 5, 1983 – Traded Dennis Maruk to North Stars for 2nd pick in 1984 Draft
- October 3, 1983 – Traded Torrie Robertson for Greg Adams
- October 18, 1983 – Traded Brian Engblom and Ken Houston to Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Larry Murphy
Previous Summaries
1974-75 Season
1975-76 Season
1976-77 Season
1977-78 Season
1978-79 Season
1979-80 Season
1980-81 Season
1981-82 Season
1982-83 Season
By Diane Doyle
