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.
Offseason
Regular season
Final standings
[1]Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against
Note: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.
Record vs. opponents
Patrick Division record vs. opponents
|
Vs. Wales Conference
Vs. Patrick Division
|
Vs. Adams Division
|
Vs. Campbell Conference
Vs. Norris Division
|
Vs. Smythe Division
|
|
Schedule and results
Regular season
1982–83 game log[3]
|
October: 3–6–1 (home: 0–3–1; road: 3–3–0)
Game |
Date Time (ET) |
Visitor |
Score |
Home |
Decision |
Location |
Attendance |
Record |
Points |
Recap
|
1 |
|
Washington |
5–4 |
NY Rangers |
Riggin |
Madison Square Garden |
17,413 |
1–0–0 |
2 |
W1
|
2 |
|
Philadelphia |
3–2 |
Washington |
Riggin |
Capital Centre |
17,704 |
1–1–0 |
2 |
L1
|
3 |
|
Washington |
4–6 |
Philadelphia |
Moore |
Spectrum |
16,790 |
1–2–0 |
2 |
L2
|
4 |
|
Washington |
5–3 |
Toronto |
Parro |
Maple Leaf Gardens |
16,300 |
2–2–0 |
4 |
W1
|
5 |
8:05 p.m. EDT |
Buffalo |
9–2 |
Washington |
Parro |
Capital Centre |
13,710 |
2–3–0 |
4 |
L1
|
6 |
7:35 p.m. EDT |
Montreal |
3–3 |
Washington |
Parro |
Capital Centre |
12,849 |
2–3–1 |
5 |
T1
|
7 |
8:05 p.m. EDT |
Washington |
3–6 |
NY Islanders |
Riggin |
Nassau Coliseum |
14,633 |
2–4–1 |
5 |
L1
|
8 |
8:05 p.m. EDT |
Minnesota |
3–1 |
Washington |
Parro |
Capital Centre |
12,768 |
2–5–1 |
5 |
L2
|
9 |
|
Washington |
5–7 |
Pittsburgh |
Parro |
Pittsburgh Civic Arena |
6,916 |
2–6–1 |
5 |
L3
|
10 |
|
Washington |
6–5 |
St. Louis |
Riggin |
Checkerdome |
10,689 |
3–6–1 |
7 |
W1
|
|
November: 5–3–5 (home: 5–1–0; road: 5–2–4)
Game |
Date Time (ET) |
Visitor |
Score |
Home |
Decision |
Location |
Attendance |
Record |
Points |
Recap
|
11 |
8:35 p.m. EST |
Washington |
3–3 |
Chicago |
Riggin |
Chicago Stadium |
13,864 |
3–6–2 |
8 |
T1
|
12 |
|
St. Louis |
4–3 |
Washington |
Riggin |
Capital Centre |
14,337 |
3–7–2 |
8 |
L1
|
13 |
7:05 p.m. EST |
Hartford |
2–6 |
Washington |
Jensen |
Capital Centre |
12,816 |
4–7–2 |
10 |
W1
|
14 |
7:45 p.m. EST |
Washington |
2–2 |
New Jersey |
Riggin |
Brendan Byrne Arena |
10,273 |
4–7–3 |
11 |
T1
|
15 |
7:35 p.m. EST |
New Jersey |
0–3 |
Washington |
Jensen |
Capital Centre |
12,445 |
5–7–3 |
13 |
W1
|
16 |
8:05 p.m. EST |
NY Islanders |
1–3 |
Washington |
Jensen |
Capital Centre |
14,131 |
6–7–3 |
15 |
W2
|
17 |
7:35 p.m. EST |
Calgary |
3–5 |
Washington |
Riggin |
Capital Centre |
10,705 |
7–7–3 |
17 |
W3
|
18 |
|
Washington |
3–3 |
Winnipeg |
Jensen |
Winnipeg Arena |
11,555 |
7–7–4 |
18 |
T1
|
19 |
|
Washington |
3–5 |
Vancouver |
Riggin |
Pacific Coliseum |
12,154 |
7–8–4 |
18 |
L1
|
20 |
9:35 p.m. EST |
Washington |
3–6 |
Calgary |
Jensen |
Stampede Corral |
7,242 |
7–9–4 |
18 |
L2
|
21 |
9:35 p.m. EST |
Washington |
3–3 |
Edmonton |
Riggin |
Northlands Coliseum |
17,498 |
7–9–5 |
19 |
T1
|
22 |
|
Toronto |
3–5 |
Washington |
Jensen |
Capital Centre |
13,752 |
8–9–5 |
21 |
W1
|
23 |
7:05 p.m. EST |
NY Islanders |
3–3 |
Washington |
Jensen |
Capital Centre |
12,380 |
8–9–6 |
22 |
T1
|
|
December: 9–1–4 (home: 5–1–2; road: 4–0–2)
Game |
Date Time (ET) |
Visitor |
Score |
Home |
Decision |
Location |
Attendance |
Record |
Points |
Recap
|
24 |
|
Pittsburgh |
4–5 |
Washington |
Jensen |
Capital Centre |
8,827 |
9–9–6 |
24 |
W1
|
25 |
8:05 p.m. EST |
Chicago |
2–4 |
Washington |
Riggin |
Capital Centre |
10,885 |
10–9–6 |
26 |
W2
|
26 |
|
Winnipeg |
3–3 |
Washington |
Jensen |
Capital Centre |
8,612 |
10–9–7 |
27 |
L1
|
27 |
7:35 p.m. EST |
Washington |
6–4 |
New Jersey |
Riggin |
Brendan Byrne Arena |
9,123 |
11–9–7 |
29 |
W1
|
28 |
|
NY Rangers |
4–4 |
Washington |
Jensen |
Capital Centre |
12,551 |
11–9–8 |
30 |
T1
|
29 |
7:05 p.m. EST |
Boston |
3–4 |
Washington |
Riggin |
Capital Centre |
10,435 |
12–9–8 |
32 |
W1
|
30 |
7:35 p.m. EST |
Los Angeles |
2–7 |
Washington |
Jensen |
Capital Centre |
8,696 |
13–9–8 |
34 |
W2
|
31 |
8:35 p.m. EST |
Washington |
4–4 |
Minnesota |
Riggin |
Met Center |
12,340 |
13–9–9 |
35 |
T1
|
32 |
|
Washington |
3–1 |
Pittsburgh |
Jensen |
Pittsburgh Civic Arena |
8,250 |
14–9–9 |
37 |
W1
|
33 |
|
Washington |
3–1 |
Philadelphia |
Jensen |
Spectrum |
16,849 |
15–9–9 |
39 |
W2
|
34 |
8:05 p.m. EST |
Washington |
5–1 |
NY Islanders |
Jensen |
Nassau Coliseum |
15,230 |
16–9–9 |
41 |
W3
|
35 |
|
Philadelphia |
6–3 |
Washington |
Jensen |
Capital Centre |
18,130 |
16–10–9 |
41 |
L1
|
36 |
|
Pittsburgh |
3–6 |
Washington |
Jensen |
Capital Centre |
14,213 |
17–10–9 |
43 |
W1
|
37 |
7:35 p.m. EST |
Washington |
4–4 |
Hartford |
Riggin |
Hartford Civic Center |
11,385 |
17–10–10 |
44 |
T1
|
|
January: 7–6–2 (home: 3–5–0; road: 4–1–2)
Game |
Date Time (ET) |
Visitor |
Score |
Home |
Decision |
Location |
Attendance |
Record |
Points |
Recap
|
38 |
|
NY Rangers |
7–2 |
Washington |
Jensen |
Capital Centre |
13,766 |
17–11–10 |
44 |
L1
|
39 |
|
Washington |
7–4 |
Quebec |
Riggin |
Quebec Coliseum |
15,258 |
18–11–10 |
46 |
W1
|
40 |
7:35 p.m. EST |
Washington |
5–2 |
Detroit |
Jensen |
Joe Louis Arena |
11,676 |
19–11–10 |
48 |
W2
|
41 |
|
Toronto |
3–1 |
Washington |
Riggin |
Capital Centre |
10,801 |
19–12–10 |
48 |
L1
|
42 |
|
Washington |
3–3 |
St. Louis |
Jensen |
Checkerdome |
12,563 |
19–12–11 |
49 |
T1
|
43 |
7:35 p.m. EST |
Los Angeles |
9–7 |
Washington |
Riggin |
Capital Centre |
9,422 |
19–13–11 |
49 |
L1
|
44 |
7:35 p.m. EST |
Washington |
2–3 |
Buffalo |
Jensen |
Buffalo Memorial Auditorium |
11,646 |
19–14–11 |
49 |
L2
|
45 |
8:05 p.m. EST |
Buffalo |
4–2 |
Washington |
Jensen |
Capital Centre |
11,409 |
19–15–11 |
49 |
L3
|
46 |
|
Philadelphia |
1–4 |
Washington |
Jensen |
Capital Centre |
10,981 |
20–15–11 |
51 |
W1
|
47 |
8:35 p.m. EST |
Washington |
6–4 |
Chicago |
Jensen |
Chicago Stadium |
17,482 |
21–15–11 |
53 |
W2
|
48 |
|
Quebec |
5–4 |
Washington |
Jensen |
Capital Centre |
13,365 |
21–16–11 |
53 |
L1
|
49 |
1:35 p.m. EST |
New Jersey |
1–3 |
Washington |
Jensen |
Capital Centre |
8,839 |
22–16–11 |
55 |
W1
|
50 |
|
Washington |
6–2 |
Pittsburgh |
Riggin |
Pittsburgh Civic Arena |
5,209 |
23–16–11 |
57 |
W2
|
51 |
|
Pittsburgh |
2–7 |
Washington |
Riggin |
Capital Centre |
10,978 |
24–16–11 |
59 |
W3
|
52 |
8:05 p.m. EST |
Washington |
3–3 |
Montreal |
Jensen |
Montreal Forum |
16,835 |
24–16–12 |
60 |
T1
|
|
February: 6–4–2 (home: 4–0–0; road: 2–4–2)
Game |
Date Time (ET) |
Visitor |
Score |
Home |
Decision |
Location |
Attendance |
Record |
Points |
Recap
|
53 |
7:35 p.m. EST |
Detroit |
2–5 |
Washington |
Riggin |
Capital Centre |
9,314 |
25–16–12 |
62 |
W1
|
54 |
7:35 p.m. EST |
Minnesota |
1–3 |
Washington |
Jensen |
Capital Centre |
9,680 |
26–16–12 |
64 |
W2
|
55 |
8:05 p.m. EST |
New Jersey |
4–5 |
Washington |
Jensen |
Capital Centre |
13,150 |
27–16–12 |
66 |
W3
|
56 |
|
Washington |
4–4 |
Quebec |
Riggin |
Quebec Coliseum |
15,232 |
27–16–13 |
67 |
T1
|
35th All-Star Game in Uniondale, New York
|
57 |
8:05 p.m. EST |
Washington |
3–8 |
NY Islanders |
Jensen |
Nassau Coliseum |
15,055 |
27–17–13 |
67 |
L1
|
58 |
|
Winnipeg |
1–6 |
Washington |
Riggin |
Capital Centre |
9,582 |
28–17–13 |
69 |
W1
|
59 |
|
Washington |
4–5 |
NY Rangers |
Jensen |
Madison Square Garden |
17,414 |
28–18–13 |
69 |
L1
|
60 |
|
Washington |
2–1 |
Vancouver |
Riggin |
Pacific Coliseum |
15,183 |
29–18–13 |
71 |
W1
|
61 |
10:35 p.m. EST |
Washington |
3–3 |
Los Angeles |
Riggin |
The Forum |
14,087 |
29–18–14 |
72 |
T1}}
|
62 |
9:35 p.m. EST |
Washington |
3–6 |
Edmonton |
Jensen |
Northlands Coliseum |
17,498 |
29–19–14 |
72 |
L1
|
63 |
9:35 p.m. EST |
Washington |
4–2 |
Calgary |
Riggin |
Stampede Corral |
7,242 |
30–19–14 |
74 |
W1
|
64 |
8:05 p.m. EST |
Washington |
1–4 |
Montreal |
Riggin |
Montreal Forum |
16,988 |
30–20–14 |
74 |
L1
|
|
March: 8–4–2 (home: 4–2–2; road: 4–2–0)
Game |
Date Time (ET) |
Visitor |
Score |
Home |
Decision |
Location |
Attendance |
Record |
Points |
Recap
|
65 |
7:35 p.m. EST |
Edmonton |
5–3 |
Washington |
Riggin |
Capital Centre |
18,130 |
30–21–14 |
74 |
L2
|
66 |
|
Washington |
4–3 |
NY Rangers |
Jensen |
Madison Square Garden |
17,411 |
31–21–14 |
76 |
W1
|
67 |
|
Philadelphia |
3–4 |
Washington |
Jensen |
Capital Centre |
18,022 |
32–21–14 |
78 |
W2
|
68 |
7:45 p.m. EST |
Washington |
5–4 |
New Jersey |
Riggin |
Brendan Byrne Arena |
9,350 |
33–21–14 |
80 |
W3
|
69 |
5:05 p.m. EST |
Washington |
2–6 |
NY Islanders |
Jensen |
Nassau Coliseum |
15,230 |
33–22–14 |
80 |
L1
|
70 |
1:35 p.m. EST |
Boston |
4–6 |
Washington |
Jensen |
Capital Centre |
15,729 |
34–22–14 |
82 |
W1
|
71 |
7:35 p.m. EST |
Hartford |
4–5 |
Washington |
Jensen |
Capital Centre |
8,980 |
35–22–14 |
84 |
W2
|
72 |
7:35 p.m. EST |
Washington |
2–1 |
Boston |
Riggin |
Boston Garden |
13,179 |
36–22–14 |
86 |
W3
|
73 |
|
Washington |
3–2 |
Philadelphia |
Riggin |
Spectrum |
17,147 |
37–22–14 |
88 |
W4
|
74 |
|
Vancouver |
1–1 |
Washington |
Riggin |
Capital Centre |
11,401 |
37–22–15 |
89 |
T1
|
75 |
7:35 p.m. EST |
New Jersey |
3–5 |
Washington |
Jensen |
Capital Centre |
9,713 |
38–22–15 |
91 |
W1
|
76 |
|
Pittsburgh |
4–4 |
Washington |
Riggin |
Capital Centre |
13,775 |
38–22–16 |
92 |
T1
|
77 |
|
Washington |
4–5 |
NY Rangers |
Jensen |
Madison Square Garden |
17,391 |
38–23–16 |
92 |
L1
|
78 |
7:35 p.m. EST |
NY Islanders |
7–1 |
Washington |
Riggin |
Capital Centre |
17,848 |
38–24–16 |
92 |
L2
|
|
April: 1–1–0 (home: 1–0–0; road: 0–1–0)
|
Win (2 points)
Loss (0 points)
Tie (1 point)
|
Playoffs
1983 Stanley Cup playoffs[3]
|
Game |
Date Time (ET) |
Visitor |
Score |
Home |
OT |
Decision |
Location |
Attendance |
Series |
Recap
|
1 |
8:05 p.m. EST |
Washington |
2–5 |
NY Islanders |
|
Riggin |
Nassau Coliseum |
15,230 |
Islanders lead 1–0 |
L1
|
2 |
8:05 p.m. EST |
Washington |
4–2 |
NY Islanders |
|
Jensen |
Nassau Coliseum |
15,150 |
Series tied 1–1 |
W1
|
3 |
1:05 p.m. EST |
NY Islanders |
6–2 |
Washington |
|
Jensen |
Capital Centre |
18,130 |
Islanders lead 2–1 |
L1
|
4 |
7:05 p.m. EST |
NY Islanders |
6–3 |
Washington |
|
Jensen |
Capital Centre |
18,130 |
Islanders win 3–1 |
L2
|
|
Win
Loss
|
Playoffs
In the first round of the playoffs, the Capitals lost to the Islanders 3 games to 1.
Player statistics
Regular season
- Scoring
- Goaltending
Playoffs
- Scoring
- Goaltending
Player
|
MIN
|
GP
|
W
|
L
|
GA
|
GAA
|
SO
|
Al Jensen |
139 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
10 |
4.32 |
0
|
Pat Riggin |
101 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
8 |
4.75 |
0
|
Team: |
240 |
4 |
1 |
3 |
18 |
4.50 |
0
|
[4]
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 1982 NHL entry draft held at the Montreal Forum in Montreal.
Round
|
#
|
Player
|
Nationality
|
College/Junior/Club team (League)
|
1 |
5 |
Scott Stevens |
Canada |
Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
|
3 |
58 |
Milan Novy |
Czechoslovakia |
Kladno (Czechoslovakia)
|
5 |
89 |
Dean Evason |
Canada |
Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
|
6 |
110 |
Ed Kastelic |
Canada |
London Knights (OHL)
|
8 |
152 |
Wally Schreiber |
Canada |
Regina Pats (WHL)
|
9 |
173 |
Jamie Reeve |
Canada |
Saskatoon Blades (SJHL)
|
10 |
194 |
Juha Nurmi |
Finland |
Tampere Tappara (Finland)
|
11 |
215 |
Wayne Prestage |
Canada |
Seattle Breakers (WHL)
|
12 |
236 |
Jon Holden |
Canada |
Peterborough Petes (OHL)
|
12 |
247 |
Marco Kallas |
United States |
St. Louis Sting (NAJHL)
|
See also
References
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Franchise | |
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History | |
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Personnel | |
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Arenas | |
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Rivalries | |
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Affiliates | |
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Media | |
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Culture and lore | |
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1970s | |
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1980s | |
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1990s | |
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2000s | |
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2010s | |
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2020s | |
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|
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Patrick | |
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Adams | |
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Norris | |
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Smythe | |
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See also | |
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