With the Washington Capitals celebrating their 50th anniversary, NoVa Caps is summarizing each of their previous seasons, from earliest to most recent. The series continues with the 1991-1992 season, their 18th season.
SUMMARY
Washington started the year on fire, going 9-3 in October and averaging 4.7 goals per game. While the team couldn’t keep that pace the entire year, they finished with a 45-27-8 record for 98 points, good for second in the Patrick Division and home ice in the opening-round meeting with Pittsburgh.
The Capitals had seven players that scored 20 or more goals that season. For the regular season, they ranked 2nd out of 22 teams in goals for and 10th out of 22 in goals against. [Note: the San Jose Sharks had entered the league as an expansion team that season.]
Led by players like Dino Ciccarelli, Rod Langway, and Dale Hunter the Caps looked to be poised for a deep playoff run after taking a 3-1 series lead against Pittsburgh. But after that, everything fell apart, and thanks to Penguins forward Mario Lemieux, the Caps blew the final three games and lost in seven.
Photo: NHL Capitals
Notable Draft Picks in 1991 NHL Draft
- Pat Peake (C) – (1st round — #14 overall)
- Trevor Halverson (LW) — (1st round — #21 overall)
- Jeff Nelson (C) — (2nd round — #36 overall)
- Steve Konowalchuk (LW) – (3rd round — #58 overall)
Photo: Hockey DB
General Manager: David Poile
Head Coach: Terry Murray
Captain: Rod Langway
Leaders
Goals: Dino Ciccarelli (39), Dmitri Khristich (36)
Assists: Michael Pivonka (57), Dale Hunter (50)
Points: Michael Pivonka (80), Dale Hunter (78)
Penalty Minutes: Alan May (221), Nick Kypreos (206)
Major Trades
- May 21, 1991
- Capitals acquire: Craig Duncanson, Brent Hughes, Simon Wheeldon
- Winnipeg Jets acquire: Bob Joyce, Tyler Larter, Kent Paynter
- June 21, 1991
- Capitals acquire: Shawn Chambers
- Minnesota North Stars acquire: Trent Klatt, Steve Maltais
- June 21, 1991
- Capitals acquire: Randy Burridge
- Boston Bruins acquire: Stephen Leach
- June 22, 1991
- Capitals acquire: 1991 2nd round draft pick
- Quebec Nordiques acquire: Mikhail Tatarinov
- September 8, 1991
- Capitals acquire: Sylvian Cote
- Hartford Whalers acquire: Future Considerations, i.e. 1992 2nd round pick
- October 3, 1991
- Capitals acquire: Todd Krygier
- Hartford Whalers acquire: 1993 4th round pick
- October 23, 1991
- Capitals acquire: Shawn Anderson
- Winnipeg Jets acquire: Future Considerations
- February 24, 1992
- Capitals acquire: John Byce, Dennis Smith
- Boston Bruins acquire: Brent Hughes, Future Considerations
- March 2, 1992
- Capitals acquire: Paul MacDermid
- Winnipeg Jets acquire: Mike Lalor
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
1983-84 Season
1984-85 Season
1985-86 Season
1986-87 Season
1987-88 Season
1988-89 Season
1989-90 Season
1990-91 Season
By Ethan Berman
