The 1982–83 Washington Capitals season was the Washington Capitals ninth season in the National Hockey League (NHL). They qualified for the playoffs for the very first time in franchise history after eight frustrating seasons.
Regular season Final standings
Record vs. opponents
Schedule and results Regular season
| 1 || || Washington || 5–4 || NY Rangers || Riggin || Madison Square Garden || 17,413 || 1–0–0 || 2 ||
| 2 || || Philadelphia || 3–2 || Washington || Riggin || Capital Centre || 17,704 || 1–1–0 || 2 ||
| 3 || || Washington || 4–6 || Philadelphia || Moore || Spectrum || 16,790 || 1–2–0 || 2 ||
| 4 || || Washington || 5–3 || Toronto || Parro || Maple Leaf Gardens || 16,300 || 2–2–0 || 4 ||
| 5 || 8:05p.m. EDT || Buffalo || 9–2 || Washington || Parro || Capital Centre || 13,710 || 2–3–0 || 4 ||
| 6 || 7:35p.m. EDT || Montreal || 3–3 || Washington || Parro || Capital Centre || 12,849 || 2–3–1 || 5 ||
| 7 || 8:05p.m. EDT || Washington || 3–6 || NY Islanders || Riggin || Nassau Coliseum || 14,633 || 2–4–1 || 5 ||
| 8 || 8:05p.m. EDT || Minnesota || 3–1 || Washington || Parro || Capital Centre || 12,768 || 2–5–1 || 5 ||
| 9 || || Washington || 5–7 || Pittsburgh || Parro || Pittsburgh Civic Arena || 6,916 || 2–6–1 || 5 ||
| 10 || || Washington || 6–5 || St. Louis || Riggin || Checkerdome || 10,689 || 3–6–1 || 7 ||
| 11 || 8:35p.m. EST || Washington || 3–3 || Chicago || Riggin || Chicago Stadium || 13,864 || 3–6–2 || 8 ||
| 12 || || St. Louis || 4–3 || Washington || Riggin || Capital Centre || 14,337 || 3–7–2 || 8 ||
| 13 || 7:05p.m. EST || Hartford || 2–6 || Washington || Jensen || Capital Centre || 12,816 || 4–7–2 || 10 ||
| 14 || 7:45p.m. EST || Washington || 2–2 || New Jersey || Riggin || Brendan Byrne Arena || 10,273 || 4–7–3 || 11 ||
| 15 || 7:35p.m. EST || New Jersey || 0–3 || Washington || Jensen || Capital Centre || 12,445 || 5–7–3 || 13 ||
| 16 || 8:05p.m. EST || NY Islanders || 1–3 || Washington || Jensen || Capital Centre || 14,131 || 6–7–3 || 15 ||
| 17 || 7:35p.m. EST || Calgary || 3–5 || Washington || Riggin || Capital Centre || 10,705 || 7–7–3 || 17 ||
| 18 || || Washington || 3–3 || Winnipeg || Jensen || Winnipeg Arena || 11,555 || 7–7–4 || 18 ||
| 19 || || Washington || 3–5 || Vancouver || Riggin || Pacific Coliseum || 12,154 || 7–8–4 || 18 ||
| 20 || 9:35p.m. EST || Washington || 3–6 || Calgary || Jensen || Stampede Corral || 7,242 || 7–9–4 || 18 ||
| 21 || 9:35p.m. EST || Washington || 3–3 || Edmonton || Riggin || Northlands Coliseum || 17,498 || 7–9–5 || 19 ||
| 22 || || Toronto || 3–5 || Washington || Jensen || Capital Centre || 13,752 || 8–9–5 || 21 ||
| 23 || 7:05p.m. EST || NY Islanders || 3–3 || Washington || Jensen || Capital Centre || 12,380 || 8–9–6 || 22 ||
| 24 || || Pittsburgh || 4–5 || Washington || Jensen || Capital Centre || 8,827 || 9–9–6 || 24 ||
| 25 || 8:05p.m. EST || Chicago || 2–4 || Washington || Riggin || Capital Centre || 10,885 || 10–9–6 || 26 ||
| 26 || || Winnipeg || 3–3 || Washington || Jensen || Capital Centre || 8,612 || 10–9–7 || 27 ||
| 27 || 7:35p.m. EST || Washington || 6–4 || New Jersey || Riggin || Brendan Byrne Arena || 9,123 || 11–9–7 || 29 ||
| 28 || || NY Rangers || 4–4 || Washington || Jensen || Capital Centre || 12,551 || 11–9–8 || 30 ||
| 29 || 7:05p.m. EST || Boston || 3–4 || Washington || Riggin || Capital Centre || 10,435 || 12–9–8 || 32 ||
| 30 || 7:35p.m. EST || Los Angeles || 2–7 || Washington || Jensen || Capital Centre || 8,696 || 13–9–8 || 34 ||
| 31 || 8:35p.m. EST || Washington || 4–4 || Minnesota || Riggin || Met Center || 12,340 || 13–9–9 || 35 ||
| 32 || || Washington || 3–1 || Pittsburgh || Jensen || Pittsburgh Civic Arena || 8,250 || 14–9–9 || 37 ||
| 33 || || Washington || 3–1 || Philadelphia || Jensen || Spectrum || 16,849 || 15–9–9 || 39 ||
| 34 || 8:05p.m. EST || Washington || 5–1 || NY Islanders || Jensen || Nassau Coliseum || 15,230 || 16–9–9 || 41 ||
| 35 || || Philadelphia || 6–3 || Washington || Jensen || Capital Centre || 18,130 || 16–10–9 || 41 ||
| 36 || || Pittsburgh || 3–6 || Washington || Jensen || Capital Centre || 14,213 || 17–10–9 || 43 ||
| 37 || 7:35p.m. EST || Washington || 4–4 || Hartford || Riggin || Hartford Civic Center || 11,385 || 17–10–10 || 44 ||
| 38 || || NY Rangers || 7–2 || Washington || Jensen || Capital Centre || 13,766 || 17–11–10 || 44 ||
| 39 || || Washington || 7–4 || Quebec || Riggin || Quebec Coliseum || 15,258 || 18–11–10 || 46 ||
| 40 || 7:35p.m. EST || Washington || 5–2 || Detroit || Jensen || Joe Louis Arena || 11,676 || 19–11–10 || 48 ||
| 41 || || Toronto || 3–1 || Washington || Riggin || Capital Centre || 10,801 || 19–12–10 || 48 ||
| 42 || || Washington || 3–3 || St. Louis || Jensen || Checkerdome || 12,563 || 19–12–11 || 49 ||
| 43 || 7:35p.m. EST || Los Angeles || 9–7 || Washington || Riggin || Capital Centre || 9,422 || 19–13–11 || 49 ||
| 44 || 7:35p.m. EST || Washington || 2–3 || Buffalo || Jensen || Buffalo Memorial Auditorium || 11,646 || 19–14–11 || 49 ||
| 45 || 8:05p.m. EST || Buffalo || 4–2 || Washington || Jensen || Capital Centre || 11,409 || 19–15–11 || 49 ||
| 46 || || Philadelphia || 1–4 || Washington || Jensen || Capital Centre || 10,981 || 20–15–11 || 51 ||
| 47 || 8:35p.m. EST || Washington || 6–4 || Chicago || Jensen || Chicago Stadium || 17,482 || 21–15–11 || 53 ||
| 48 || || Quebec || 5–4 || Washington || Jensen || Capital Centre || 13,365 || 21–16–11 || 53 ||
| 49 || 1:35p.m. EST || New Jersey || 1–3 || Washington || Jensen || Capital Centre || 8,839 || 22–16–11 || 55 ||
| 50 || || Washington || 6–2 || Pittsburgh || Riggin || Pittsburgh Civic Arena || 5,209 || 23–16–11 || 57 ||
| 51 || || Pittsburgh || 2–7 || Washington || Riggin || Capital Centre || 10,978 || 24–16–11 || 59 ||
| 52 || 8:05p.m. EST || Washington || 3–3 || Montreal || Jensen || Montreal Forum || 16,835 || 24–16–12 || 60 ||
| 53 || 7:35p.m. EST || Detroit || 2–5 || Washington || Riggin || Capital Centre || 9,314 || 25–16–12 || 62 ||
| 54 || 7:35p.m. EST || Minnesota || 1–3 || Washington || Jensen || Capital Centre || 9,680 || 26–16–12 || 64 ||
| 55 || 8:05p.m. EST || New Jersey || 4–5 || Washington || Jensen || Capital Centre || 13,150 || 27–16–12 || 66 ||
| 56 || || Washington || 4–4 || Quebec || Riggin || Quebec Coliseum || 15,232 || 27–16–13 || 67 || |-style=background:#bbbfff |colspan="11"|35th All-Star Game in Uniondale, New York
| 57 || 8:05p.m. EST || Washington || 3–8 || NY Islanders || Jensen || Nassau Coliseum || 15,055 || 27–17–13 || 67 ||
| 58 || || Winnipeg || 1–6 || Washington || Riggin || Capital Centre || 9,582 || 28–17–13 || 69 ||
| 59 || || Washington || 4–5 || NY Rangers || Jensen || Madison Square Garden || 17,414 || 28–18–13 || 69 ||
| 60 || || Washington || 2–1 || Vancouver || Riggin || Pacific Coliseum || 15,183 || 29–18–13 || 71 ||
| 61 || 10:35p.m. EST || Washington || 3–3 || Los Angeles || Riggin || The Forum || 14,087 || 29–18–14 || 72 || T1
| 62 || 9:35p.m. EST || Washington || 3–6 || Edmonton || Jensen || Northlands Coliseum || 17,498 || 29–19–14 || 72 ||
| 63 || 9:35p.m. EST || Washington || 4–2 || Calgary || Riggin || Stampede Corral || 7,242 || 30–19–14 || 74 ||
| 64 || 8:05p.m. EST || Washington || 1–4 || Montreal || Riggin || Montreal Forum || 16,988 || 30–20–14 || 74 ||
| 65 || 7:35p.m. EST || Edmonton || 5–3 || Washington || Riggin || Capital Centre || 18,130 || 30–21–14 || 74 ||
| 66 || || Washington || 4–3 || NY Rangers || Jensen || Madison Square Garden || 17,411 || 31–21–14 || 76 ||
| 67 || || Philadelphia || 3–4 || Washington || Jensen || Capital Centre || 18,022 || 32–21–14 || 78 ||
| 68 || 7:45p.m. EST || Washington || 5–4 || New Jersey || Riggin || Brendan Byrne Arena || 9,350 || 33–21–14 || 80 ||
| 69 || 5:05p.m. EST || Washington || 2–6 || NY Islanders || Jensen || Nassau Coliseum || 15,230 || 33–22–14 || 80 ||
| 70 || 1:35p.m. EST || Boston || 4–6 || Washington || Jensen || Capital Centre || 15,729 || 34–22–14 || 82 ||
| 71 || 7:35p.m. EST || Hartford || 4–5 || Washington || Jensen || Capital Centre || 8,980 || 35–22–14 || 84 ||
| 72 || 7:35p.m. EST || Washington || 2–1 || Boston || Riggin || Boston Garden || 13,179 || 36–22–14 || 86 ||
| 73 || || Washington || 3–2 || Philadelphia || Riggin || Spectrum || 17,147 || 37–22–14 || 88 ||
| 74 || || Vancouver || 1–1 || Washington || Riggin || Capital Centre || 11,401 || 37–22–15 || 89 ||
| 75 || 7:35p.m. EST || New Jersey || 3–5 || Washington || Jensen || Capital Centre || 9,713 || 38–22–15 || 91 ||
| 76 || || Pittsburgh || 4–4 || Washington || Riggin || Capital Centre || 13,775 || 38–22–16 || 92 ||
| 77 || || Washington || 4–5 || NY Rangers || Jensen || Madison Square Garden || 17,391 || 38–23–16 || 92 ||
| 78 || 7:35p.m. EST || NY Islanders || 7–1 || Washington || Riggin || Capital Centre || 17,848 || 38–24–16 || 92 ||
| 79 || 7:35p.m. EST || Washington || 7–8 || Detroit || Jensen || Joe Louis Arena || 13,609 || 38–25–16 || 92 ||
| 80 || || NY Rangers || 0–3 || Washington || Jensen || Capital Centre || 10,219 || 39–25–16 || 94 ||
Playoffs
| 1 || 8:05p.m. EST || Washington || 2–5 || NY Islanders || || Riggin || Nassau Coliseum || 15,230 || Islanders lead 1–0 ||
| 2 || 8:05p.m. EST || Washington || 4–2 || NY Islanders || || Jensen || Nassau Coliseum || 15,150 || Series tied 1–1 ||
| 3 || 1:05p.m. EST || NY Islanders || 6–2 || Washington || || Jensen || Capital Centre || 18,130 || Islanders lead 2–1 ||
| 4 || 7:05p.m. EST || NY Islanders || 6–3 || Washington || || Jensen || Capital Centre || 18,130 || Islanders win 3–1 ||
Playoffs In the first round of the playoffs, the Capitals lost to the Islanders 3 games to 1.
Player statistics
Regular season Scoring Player Pos GP G A Pts PIM +/- PPG SHG GWG C 80 31 50 81 71-211202 RW 73 38 38 76 54-21013 C 80 32 37 69 6401404 RW 67 22 42 64 169204 C 74 23 27 50 34-5502 C 73 18 30 48 161303 RW 75 17 27 44 41-7503 RW 80 22 18 40 4316006 RW 71 25 14 39 93-8900 C 68 11 28 39 2018002 LW 77 18 19 37 5215016 D 70 8 28 36 20-3701 D 80 3 29 32 750100 C 80 8 22 30 10-12010 D 73 5 22 27 59-4400 D 77 9 16 25 19514000 D 61 1 17 18 6715101 C 23 7 10 17 14-2101 LW 39 4 9 13 47-3001 D 70 0 8 8 275-7000 D 10 0 8 8 0-1000 D 19 2 2 4 81100 LW 5 2 0 2 4-2000 D 8 0 1 1 14-3000 D 1 0 0 0 00000 D 6 0 0 0 7-3000 G 40 0 0 0 60000 G 1 0 0 0 00000 G 6 0 0 0 00000 G 38 0 0 0 40000 Goaltending PlayerMINGPW LTGAGAA SO 2358 40 22 12 6 135 3.44 1 2161 38 16 9 9 121 3.36 0 261 6 1 3 1 19 4.37 0 20 1 0 1 0 1 3.00 0 Team: 4800 80 39 25 16 276 3.45 1
Playoffs Scoring Player Pos GP G A Pts PIM PPG SHG GWG RW 4 5 0 5 4101 C 4 0 3 3 4000 LW 4 1 1 2 4000 C 4 1 1 2 2000 D 4 0 2 2 2000 C 4 1 0 1 2000 RW 4 1 0 1 4000 RW 4 1 0 1 0000 D 4 1 0 1 26000 RW 4 0 1 1 4000 D 4 0 1 1 20000 C 4 0 1 1 0000 D 4 0 1 1 0000 D 3 0 0 0 16000 LW 1 0 0 0 0000 RW 4 0 0 0 4000 C 4 0 0 0 2000 G 3 0 0 0 0000 D 4 0 0 0 0000 C 2 0 0 0 0000 G 3 0 0 0 0000 C 2 0 0 0 4000 Goaltending PlayerMINGPW LGAGAA SO 139 3 1 2 10 4.32 0 101 3 0 1 8 4.75 0 Team: 240 4 1 3 18 4.50 0
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = Plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes; PPG=Power-play goals; SHG=Short-handed goals; GWG=Game-winning goals MIN=Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals against; GAA = Goals against average; SO = Shutouts; Draft picks Washington's draft picks at the 1982 NHL entry draft held at the Montreal Forum in Montreal.
Round # Player Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)15Scott StevensKitchener Rangers (OHL)358Milan NovyKladno (Czechoslovakia)589Dean EvasonKamloops Blazers (WHL)6110Ed KastelicLondon Knights (OHL)8152Wally SchreiberRegina Pats (WHL)9173Jamie ReeveSaskatoon Blades (SJHL)10194Juha NurmiTampere Tappara (Finland)11215Wayne PrestageSeattle Breakers (WHL)12236Jon HoldenPeterborough Petes (OHL)12247Marco KallasSt. Louis Sting (NAJHL)
See also