The 1984–85 Washington Capitals season was the

Washington Capitals The Washington Capitals (colloquially known as the Caps) are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. The Capitals compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NH ...

eleventh In music theory, an eleventh is a compound interval consisting of an octave plus a fourth. A perfect eleventh spans 17 and the augmented eleventh 18 semitones, or 10 steps in a diatonic scale. Since there are only seven degrees in a diaton ...

season in the

National Hockey League The National Hockey League (NHL; , ''LNH'') is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The NHL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Cana ...

(NHL).

Offseason

Regular season

Coming off their most successful season in their NHL history (48 wins, 101 points, 2nd place in the Patrick Division), the Capitals were expected to take over leadership of the division from the

New York Islanders The New York Islanders (colloquially known as the Isles) are a professional ice hockey team based in Elmont, New York. The Islanders compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (N ...

, whose fading dynasty was given a blow after the

Oilers Oiler may refer to: Ships * Replenishment oiler * Oil tanker Sports * Cape Breton Oilers, a former American Hockey League team * City Oilers, Ugandan basketball team * Edmonton Oilers, a National Hockey League team based in Edmonton, Alberta, C ...

topped them in the

1984 Stanley Cup Finals The 1984 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 1983–84 season, and the culmination of the 1984 Stanley Cup playoffs. It was contested between the defending Campbell Conference champion Edmonto ...

. Instead, despite a solid start to the season, the Caps were struggling in the early going to keep up with the surprising

Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team play ...

. With a surge around the holidays, Washington ended up snagging first place and with the help of easy games throughout January, extended their division lead to double-digit points by the start of February. However, the Flyers came breathing down the Caps' necks from there. On February 9, Washington led Philly by 11 points, but a last-second loss to the Flyers at the Capital Centre triggered another battle for the division title. Although the Capitals didn't falter over the remaining games of the season, they were unable to hold off their scorching neighbors to the north — dropping a key pair of games in a home-and-home set on March 7 at the

Spectrum A spectrum (: spectra or spectrums) is a set of related ideas, objects, or properties whose features overlap such that they blend to form a continuum. The word ''spectrum'' was first used scientifically in optics to describe the rainbow of co ...

(9–6) and March 8 at home (4–2) – which drew the clubs into a tie for first. Key losses at home to Boston and on the road at Hartford sealed their fate as the Flyers wrapped up the Patrick on March 28 with the Capitals a distant 10 points off the pace. Despite winning 46 games and posting another 101 point campaign, the Capitals wound up 12 points behind Philly, and won only once in seven games against them (1–5–1). That didn't take away from the career performances of

Mike Gartner Michael Alfred Gartner (born October 29, 1959) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey Winger (ice hockey), right winger who played 19 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Washington Capitals, Minnesota North Stars, New Yor ...

and Bobby Carpenter, who became the first Capitals teammates to post concurrent 50 goal seasons. Both Gartner (50) and Carpenter (53) posted career-highs in goal scoring and led a potent offense which tallied 322 times.

Final standings

Record vs. opponents

Schedule and results

, - , 1, , T, , October 11, 1984, , 2–2 OT, , align="left", @

( 1984–85) , , 0–0–1 , - , 2, , L, , October 13, 1984, , 2–4 , , align="left",

( 1984–85) , , 0–1–1 , - , 3, , W, , October 14, 1984, , 5–3 , , align="left", @

Chicago Black Hawks Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...

( 1984–85) , , 1–1–1 , - , 4, , W, , October 16, 1984, , 5–3 , , align="left",

Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles. The Kings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. ...

( 1984–85) , , 2–1–1 , - , 5, , L, , October 20, 1984, , 5–6 , , align="left",

New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City. The Rangers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team plays ...

( 1984–85) , , 2–2–1 , - , 6, , T, , October 24, 1984, , 3–3 OT, , align="left", @

Edmonton Oilers The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton. The Oilers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

( 1984–85) , , 2–2–2 , - , 7, , L, , October 25, 1984, , 3–5 , , align="left", @

Calgary Flames The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The ...

( 1984–85) , , 2–3–2 , - , 8, , W, , October 28, 1984, , 5–2 , , align="left", @

Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. The Canucks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conferenc ...

( 1984–85) , , 3–3–2 , - , 9, , W, , October 31, 1984, , 4–3 OT, , align="left",

( 1984–85) , , 4–3–2 , - , - , 10, , W, , November 3, 1984, , 6–4 , , align="left",

New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The club w ...

( 1984–85) , , 5–3–2 , - , 11, , L, , November 7, 1984, , 3–4 , , align="left", @

( 1984–85) , , 5–4–2 , - , 12, , L, , November 9, 1984, , 5–8 , , align="left",

( 1984–85) , , 5–5–2 , - , 13, , T, , November 10, 1984, , 2–2 OT, , align="left", @

( 1984–85) , , 5–5–3 , - , 14, , T, , November 13, 1984, , 3–3 OT, , align="left",

Minnesota North Stars The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, Minnesota, and the team's colors for ...

( 1984–85) , , 5–5–4 , - , 15, , L, , November 16, 1984, , 2–3 , , align="left", @

Buffalo Sabres The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Con ...

( 1984–85) , , 5–6–4 , - , 16, , W, , November 17, 1984, , 3–2 , , align="left",

( 1984–85) , , 6–6–4 , - , 17, , L, , November 20, 1984, , 3–5 , , align="left", @

( 1984–85) , , 6–7–4 , - , 18, , T, , November 21, 1984, , 3–3 OT, , align="left", @

Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. The Penguins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), E ...

( 1984–85) , , 6–7–5 , - , 19, , L, , November 23, 1984, , 1–5 , , align="left",

( 1984–85) , , 6–8–5 , - , 20, , W, , November 25, 1984, , 5–0 , , align="left",

( 1984–85) , , 7–8–5 , - , 21, , W, , November 27, 1984, , 9–2 , , align="left", @

Quebec Nordiques The Quebec Nordiques (, pronounced in Quebec French, in Canadian English; translated "Northmen" or "Northerners") were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association (1972–1979) an ...

( 1984–85) , , 8–8–5 , - , 22, , W, , November 28, 1984, , 2–1 , , align="left", @

( 1984–85) , , 9–8–5 , - , - , 23, , W, , December 1, 1984, , 5–4 OT, , align="left", @

Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The t ...

( 1984–85) , , 10–8–5 , - , 24, , W, , December 2, 1984, , 9–1 , , align="left",

( 1984–85) , , 11–8–5 , - , 25, , W, , December 4, 1984, , 4–1 , , align="left",

( 1984–85) , , 12–8–5 , - , 26, , L, , December 7, 1984, , 5–7 , , align="left",

Winnipeg Jets The Winnipeg Jets are a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg. The Jets compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The te ...

( 1984–85) , , 12–9–5 , - , 27, , W, , December 9, 1984, , 4–0 , , align="left",

Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...

( 1984–85) , , 13–9–5 , - , 28, , T, , December 11, 1984, , 3–3 OT, , align="left", @

St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis. The Blues compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

( 1984–85) , , 13–9–6 , - , 29, , W, , December 12, 1984, , 3–2 , , align="left", @

( 1984–85) , , 14–9–6 , - , 30, , W, , December 15, 1984, , 4–2 , , align="left",

( 1984–85) , , 15–9–6 , - , 31, , W, , December 16, 1984, , 6–3 , , align="left", @

( 1984–85) , , 16–9–6 , - , 32, , W, , December 18, 1984, , 4–1 , , align="left", @

( 1984–85) , , 17–9–6 , - , 33, , T, , December 20, 1984, , 2–2 OT, , align="left", @

Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...

( 1984–85) , , 17–9–7 , - , 34, , W, , December 22, 1984, , 7–5 , , align="left",

( 1984–85) , , 18–9–7 , - , 35, , L, , December 23, 1984, , 4–7 , , align="left", @

( 1984–85) , , 18–10–7 , - , 36, , W, , December 26, 1984, , 6–0 , , align="left",

( 1984–85) , , 19–10–7 , - , 37, , W, , December 27, 1984, , 5–4 OT, , align="left", @

( 1984–85) , , 20–10–7 , - , 38, , W, , December 29, 1984, , 3–2 , , align="left",

Hartford Whalers The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its 25-year existence in Hartford, Connecticut. The club played in the World Hockey Association (WHA) from 1972 until 1979, and in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1 ...

( 1984–85) , , 21–10–7 , - , - , 39, , W, , January 1, 1985, , 5–1 , , align="left",

( 1984–85) , , 22–10–7 , - , 40, , L, , January 4, 1985, , 3–5 , , align="left",

( 1984–85) , , 22–11–7 , - , 41, , W, , January 8, 1985, , 4–2 , , align="left", @

( 1984–85) , , 23–11–7 , - , 42, , W, , January 9, 1985, , 4–2 , , align="left", @

( 1984–85) , , 24–11–7 , - , 43, , L, , January 12, 1985, , 3–5 , , align="left", @

( 1984–85) , , 24–12–7 , - , 44, , W, , January 14, 1985, , 6–3 , , align="left",

( 1984–85) , , 25–12–7 , - , 45, , W, , January 16, 1985, , 5–4 , , align="left", @

( 1984–85) , , 26–12–7 , - , 46, , W, , January 17, 1985, , 6–2 , , align="left",

( 1984–85) , , 27–12–7 , - , 47, , W, , January 19, 1985, , 7–1 , , align="left",

( 1984–85) , , 28–12–7 , - , 48, , W, , January 23, 1985, , 3–2 , , align="left", @

( 1984–85) , , 29–12–7 , - , 49, , W, , January 26, 1985, , 5–1 , , align="left", @

( 1984–85) , , 30–12–7 , - , 50, , W, , January 27, 1985, , 5–2 , , align="left",

( 1984–85) , , 31–12–7 , - , 51, , L, , January 29, 1985, , 3–4 , , align="left", @

( 1984–85) , , 31–13–7 , - , - , 52, , T, , February 1, 1985, , 3–3 OT, , align="left",

Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...

( 1984–85) , , 31–13–8 , - , 53, , W, , February 3, 1985, , 6–2 , , align="left",

( 1984–85) , , 32–13–8 , - , 54, , W, , February 5, 1985, , 4–1 , , align="left", @

( 1984–85) , , 33–13–8 , - , 55, , W, , February 8, 1985, , 6–1 , , align="left",

( 1984–85) , , 34–13–8 , - , 56, , L, , February 9, 1985, , 4–5 , , align="left",

( 1984–85) , , 34–14–8 , - , 57, , L, , February 13, 1985, , 3–5 , , align="left", @

( 1984–85) , , 34–15–8 , - , 58, , W, , February 14, 1985, , 4–3 , , align="left", @

( 1984–85) , , 35–15–8 , - , 59, , L, , February 16, 1985, , 2–5 , , align="left", @

( 1984–85) , , 35–16–8 , - , 60, , W, , February 21, 1985, , 6–2 , , align="left", @

( 1984–85) , , 36–16–8 , - , 61, , T, , February 23, 1985, , 3–3 OT, , align="left", @

( 1984–85) , , 36–16–9 , - , 62, , W, , February 26, 1985, , 3–2 , , align="left",

( 1984–85) , , 37–16–9 , - , 63, , W, , February 28, 1985, , 5–4 , , align="left", @

( 1984–85) , , 38–16–9 , - , - , 64, , L, , March 2, 1985, , 0–4 , , align="left",

( 1984–85) , , 38–17–9 , - , 65, , W, , March 5, 1985, , 4–1 , , align="left",

( 1984–85) , , 39–17–9 , - , 66, , L, , March 7, 1985, , 6–9 , , align="left", @

( 1984–85) , , 39–18–9 , - , 67, , L, , March 8, 1985, , 2–4 , , align="left",

( 1984–85) , , 39–19–9 , - , 68, , L, , March 10, 1985, , 2–3 , , align="left",

( 1984–85) , , 39–20–9 , - , 69, , W, , March 14, 1985, , 4–0 , , align="left",

( 1984–85) , , 40–20–9 , - , 70, , L, , March 16, 1985, , 4–6 , , align="left", @

( 1984–85) , , 40–21–9 , - , 71, , W, , March 19, 1985, , 4–1 , , align="left",

( 1984–85) , , 41–21–9 , - , 72, , L, , March 21, 1985, , 2–3 , , align="left", @

( 1984–85) , , 41–22–9 , - , 73, , W, , March 22, 1985, , 3–1 , , align="left",

( 1984–85) , , 42–22–9 , - , 74, , W, , March 24, 1985, , 7–3 , , align="left",

( 1984–85) , , 43–22–9 , - , 75, , L, , March 27, 1985, , 1–3 , , align="left",

( 1984–85) , , 43–23–9 , - , 76, , L, , March 28, 1985, , 2–3 , , align="left", @

( 1984–85) , , 43–24–9 , - , 77, , W, , March 30, 1985, , 4–3 , , align="left",

( 1984–85) , , 44–24–9 , - , - , 78, , L, , April 4, 1985, , 0–2 , , align="left", @

( 1984–85) , , 44–25–9 , - , 79, , W, , April 6, 1985, , 7–4 , , align="left", @

( 1984–85) , , 45–25–9 , - , 80, , W, , April 7, 1985, , 7–3 , , align="left",

( 1984–85) , , 46–25–9 , - , - , ''Legend'':

Playoffs

Round 1: (P2) Washington Capitals vs. (P3) New York Islanders

Player statistics

Regular season

;Scoring ;Goaltending

Playoffs

;Scoring ;Goaltending 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;

Awards and records

Transactions

Draft picks

Washington's draft picks at the 1984 NHL entry draft held at the

Montreal Forum Montreal Forum () is a historic building located facing Cabot Square, Montreal, Cabot Square in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Called "the most storied building in hockey history" by ''Sporting News'', it was an indoor arena which served as the home o ...

Montreal Montreal is the List of towns in Quebec, largest city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Quebec, the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, second-largest in Canada, and the List of North American cit ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:1984-85 Washington Capitals season Washington Capitals seasons

Wash Wash or the Wash may refer to: Industry and sanitation * WASH or WaSH, "water, sanitation and hygiene", three related public health issues * Wash (distilling), the liquid produced by the fermentation step in the production of distilled beverages ...

Washing Washing is a method of cleaning, usually with water and soap or detergent. Regularly washing and then rinsing both body and clothing is an essential part of good hygiene and health. Often people use soaps and detergents to assist in the emulsific ...

Offseason

Regular season

Final standings

Record vs. opponents

Schedule and results

Playoffs

Round 1: (P2) Washington Capitals vs. (P3) New York Islanders

Player statistics

Regular season

Playoffs

Awards and records

Transactions

Draft picks

See also

References