1988–89 Washington Capitals season

The Capitals tied the St. Louis Blues for most shutouts in the league, with 6.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_1989_games.html|title=1988-89 NHL Schedule and Results}}

{{1988–89 NHL Patrick Division standings|team=WAS}}

{{1988–89 NHL Record vs. opponents (Patrick)|team=WSH}}

{{Game log start|style=background:#fff; border-top:#D50032 5px solid; border-bottom:#003DA5 5px solid;|title=1988–89 regular season{{cite web |title=1988-89 Washington Capitals Schedule |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/WSH/1989_games.html |website=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=March 22, 2025}}}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#D50032 2px solid; border-bottom:#003DA5 2px solid;|title=October|Game |Result |Date |Score |Opponent |Record}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|1||L||October 7, 1988||4–6 || align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins (1988–89) ||0–1–0

|- {{Game-won}}

|2||W||October 8, 1988||6–2 || align="left"| Buffalo Sabres (1988–89) ||1–1–0

|- {{Game-lost}}

|3||L||October 11, 1988||7–8 || align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1988–89) ||1–2–0

|- {{Game-lost}}

|4||L||October 14, 1988||1–3 || align="left"| Toronto Maple Leafs (1988–89) ||1–3–0

|- {{Game-won}}

|5||W||October 15, 1988||8–5 || align="left"| New Jersey Devils (1988–89) ||2–3–0

|- {{Game-lost}}

|6||L||October 19, 1988||1–5 || align="left"| @ New York Rangers (1988–89) ||2–4–0

|- {{Game-lost}}

|7||L||October 21, 1988||1–4 || align="left"| New York Rangers (1988–89) ||2–5–0

|- {{Game-lost}}

|8||L||October 23, 1988||2–3 || align="left"| @ Winnipeg Jets (1988–89) ||2–6–0

|- {{Game-won}}

|9||W||October 25, 1988||4–3 OT|| align="left"| @ Vancouver Canucks (1988–89) ||3–6–0

|- {{Game-tied}}

|10||T||October 28, 1988||2–2 OT|| align="left"| @ Calgary Flames (1988–89) ||3–6–1

|- {{Game-lost}}

|11||L||October 29, 1988||3–4 OT|| align="left"| @ Edmonton Oilers (1988–89) ||3–7–1

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#D50032 2px solid; border-bottom:#003DA5 2px solid;|title=November|Game |Result |Date |Score |Opponent |Record}}

|- {{Game-tied}}

|12||T||November 1, 1988||3–3 OT|| align="left"| @ Detroit Red Wings (1988–89) ||3–7–2

|- {{Game-won}}

|13||W||November 4, 1988||4–2 || align="left"| New York Islanders (1988–89) ||4–7–2

|- {{Game-lost}}

|14||L||November 5, 1988||3–4 OT|| align="left"| @ New York Islanders (1988–89) ||4–8–2

|- {{Game-won}}

|15||W||November 10, 1988||4–1 || align="left"| Quebec Nordiques (1988–89) ||5–8–2

|- {{Game-lost}}

|16||L||November 12, 1988||3–6 || align="left"| New Jersey Devils (1988–89) ||5–9–2

|- {{Game-won}}

|17||W||November 15, 1988||4–2 || align="left"| Minnesota North Stars (1988–89) ||6–9–2

|- {{Game-won}}

|18||W||November 18, 1988||3–2 || align="left"| Hartford Whalers (1988–89) ||7–9–2

|- {{Game-won}}

|19||W||November 19, 1988||3–2 || align="left"| @ New Jersey Devils (1988–89) ||8–9–2

|- {{Game-won}}

|20||W||November 22, 1988||4–2 || align="left"| @ New York Islanders (1988–89) ||9–9–2

|- {{Game-won}}

|21||W||November 23, 1988||7–6 || align="left"| New York Islanders (1988–89) ||10–9–2

|- {{Game-lost}}

|22||L||November 25, 1988||3–5 || align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins (1988–89) ||10–10–2

|- {{Game-won}}

|23||W||November 27, 1988||4–3 || align="left"| @ Detroit Red Wings (1988–89) ||11–10–2

|- {{Game-won}}

|24||W||November 29, 1988||4–3 || align="left"| St. Louis Blues (1988–89) ||12–10–2

|- {{Game-lost}}

|25||L||November 30, 1988||4–6 || align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1988–89) ||12–11–2

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#D50032 2px solid; border-bottom:#003DA5 2px solid;|title=December|Game |Result |Date |Score |Opponent |Record}}

|- {{Game-tied}}

|26||T||December 3, 1988||1–1 OT|| align="left"| Boston Bruins (1988–89) ||12–11–3

|- {{Game-won}}

|27||W||December 6, 1988||4–3 || align="left"| Philadelphia Flyers (1988–89) ||13–11–3

|- {{Game-lost}}

|28||L||December 7, 1988||1–5 || align="left"| @ New Jersey Devils (1988–89) ||13–12–3

|- {{Game-tied}}

|29||T||December 10, 1988||0–0 OT|| align="left"| @ Montreal Canadiens (1988–89) ||13–12–4

|- {{Game-won}}

|30||W||December 11, 1988||6–4 || align="left"| @ Buffalo Sabres (1988–89) ||14–12–4

|- {{Game-won}}

|31||W||December 13, 1988||4–1 || align="left"| @ Quebec Nordiques (1988–89) ||15–12–4

|- {{Game-lost}}

|32||L||December 15, 1988||1–4 || align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers (1988–89) ||15–13–4

|- {{Game-won}}

|33||W||December 17, 1988||6–3 || align="left"| Winnipeg Jets (1988–89) ||16–13–4

|- {{Game-lost}}

|34||L||December 19, 1988||1–3 || align="left"| @ New York Rangers (1988–89) ||16–14–4

|- {{Game-won}}

|35||W||December 21, 1988||4–3 || align="left"| @ Chicago Blackhawks (1988–89) ||17–14–4

|- {{Game-tied}}

|36||T||December 23, 1988||2–2 OT|| align="left"| New York Rangers (1988–89) ||17–14–5

|- {{Game-won}}

|37||W||December 27, 1988||4–3 || align="left"| Philadelphia Flyers (1988–89) ||18–14–5

|- {{Game-won}}

|38||W||December 30, 1988||5–3 || align="left"| Buffalo Sabres (1988–89) ||19–14–5

|- {{Game-lost}}

|39||L||December 31, 1988||4–6 || align="left"| @ New York Islanders (1988–89) ||19–15–5

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#D50032 2px solid; border-bottom:#003DA5 2px solid;|title=January|Game |Result |Date |Score |Opponent |Record}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|40||W||January 2, 1989||8–0 || align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins (1988–89) ||20–15–5

|- {{Game-tied}}

|41||T||January 4, 1989||3–3 OT|| align="left"| @ New York Rangers (1988–89) ||20–15–6

|- {{Game-won}}

|42||W||January 6, 1989||3–0 || align="left"| Toronto Maple Leafs (1988–89) ||21–15–6

|- {{Game-won}}

|43||W||January 7, 1989||6–3 || align="left"| Chicago Blackhawks (1988–89) ||22–15–6

|- {{Game-tied}}

|44||T||January 10, 1989||4–4 OT|| align="left"| @ Quebec Nordiques (1988–89) ||22–15–7

|- {{Game-won}}

|45||W||January 11, 1989||3–2 || align="left"| @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1988–89) ||23–15–7

|- {{Game-won}}

|46||W||January 13, 1989||5–3 || align="left"| Edmonton Oilers (1988–89) ||24–15–7

|- {{Game-lost}}

|47||L||January 15, 1989||3–4 || align="left"| Boston Bruins (1988–89) ||24–16–7

|- {{Game-lost}}

|48||L||January 20, 1989||5–6 OT|| align="left"| New Jersey Devils (1988–89) ||24–17–7

|- {{Game-lost}}

|49||L||January 22, 1989||3–4 || align="left"| Detroit Red Wings (1988–89) ||24–18–7

|- {{Game-tied}}

|50||T||January 24, 1989||4–4 OT|| align="left"| Los Angeles Kings (1988–89) ||24–18–8

|- {{Game-won}}

|51||W||January 26, 1989||1–0 || align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers (1988–89) ||25–18–8

|- {{Game-tied}}

|52||T||January 28, 1989||4–4 OT|| align="left"| @ St. Louis Blues (1988–89) ||25–18–9

|- {{Game-tied}}

|53||T||January 30, 1989||4–4 OT|| align="left"| @ Minnesota North Stars (1988–89) ||25–18–10

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#D50032 2px solid; border-bottom:#003DA5 2px solid;|title=February|Game |Result |Date |Score |Opponent |Record}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|54||W||February 1, 1989||4–3 OT|| align="left"| @ New York Rangers (1988–89) ||26–18–10

|- {{Game-won}}

|55||W||February 3, 1989||1–0 || align="left"| Hartford Whalers (1988–89) ||27–18–10

|- {{Game-lost}}

|56||L||February 5, 1989||1–3 || align="left"| Philadelphia Flyers (1988–89) ||27–19–10

|- {{Game-lost}}

|57||L||February 10, 1989||6–7 OT|| align="left"| Los Angeles Kings (1988–89) ||27–20–10

|- {{Game-lost}}

|58||L||February 11, 1989||1–2 || align="left"| Calgary Flames (1988–89) ||27–21–10

|- {{Game-won}}

|59||W||February 14, 1989||5–3 || align="left"| @ St. Louis Blues (1988–89) ||28–21–10

|- {{Game-lost}}

|60||L||February 15, 1989||4–7 || align="left"| @ Chicago Blackhawks (1988–89) ||28–22–10

|- {{Game-won}}

|61||W||February 17, 1989||8–2 || align="left"| @ Edmonton Oilers (1988–89) ||29–22–10

|- {{Game-lost}}

|62||L||February 19, 1989||2–3 || align="left"| @ Vancouver Canucks (1988–89) ||29–23–10

|- {{Game-lost}}

|63||L||February 20, 1989||2–6 || align="left"| @ Calgary Flames (1988–89) ||29–24–10

|- {{Game-won}}

|64||W||February 22, 1989||7–2 || align="left"| @ Los Angeles Kings (1988–89) ||30–24–10

|- {{Game-lost}}

|65||L||February 28, 1989||3–4 || align="left"| Minnesota North Stars (1988–89) ||30–25–10

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#D50032 2px solid; border-bottom:#003DA5 2px solid;|title=March|Game |Result |Date |Score |Opponent |Record}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|66||W||March 3, 1989||4–2 || align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins (1988–89) ||31–25–10

|- {{Game-won}}

|67||W||March 5, 1989||3–0 || align="left"| Vancouver Canucks (1988–89) ||32–25–10

|- {{Game-lost}}

|68||L||March 8, 1989||2–3 || align="left"| @ Montreal Canadiens (1988–89) ||32–26–10

|- {{Game-won}}

|69||W||March 9, 1989||7–2 || align="left"| @ Boston Bruins (1988–89) ||33–26–10

|- {{Game-won}}

|70||W||March 11, 1989||4–2 || align="left"| New York Rangers (1988–89) ||34–26–10

|- {{Game-won}}

|71||W||March 14, 1989||6–3 || align="left"| Winnipeg Jets (1988–89) ||35–26–10

|- {{Game-won}}

|72||W||March 17, 1989||4–1 || align="left"| Montreal Canadiens (1988–89) ||36–26–10

|- {{Game-won}}

|73||W||March 18, 1989||8–2 || align="left"| @ Hartford Whalers (1988–89) ||37–26–10

|- {{Game-won}}

|74||W||March 22, 1989||5–4 || align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1988–89) ||38–26–10

|- {{Game-won}}

|75||W||March 24, 1989||6–1 || align="left"| Philadelphia Flyers (1988–89) ||39–26–10

|- {{Game-won}}

|76||W||March 26, 1989||3–2 || align="left"| New York Islanders (1988–89) ||40–26–10

|- {{Game-lost}}

|77||L||March 28, 1989||4–5 || align="left"| @ New York Islanders (1988–89) ||40–27–10

|- {{Game-lost}}

|78||L||March 30, 1989||4–5 || align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers (1988–89) ||40–28–10

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#D50032 2px solid; border-bottom:#003DA5 2px solid;|title=April|Game |Result |Date |Score |Opponent |Record}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|79||W||April 1, 1989||6–4 || align="left"| New Jersey Devils (1988–89) ||41–28–10

|- {{Game-lost}}

|80||L||April 2, 1989||4–7 || align="left"| @ New Jersey Devils (1988–89) ||41–29–10

|-

{{Game log section end}}

|-

|

Legend:

{{legend2|#cfc|Win (2 points)|border=1px solid black}}

{{legend2|#fcc|Loss (0 points)|border=1px solid black}}

{{legend2|#ffc|Tie (1 point)|border=1px solid black}}

{{Game log end}}

{{NHLPlayoffs

|team1=Philadelphia Flyers

|team2=Washington Capitals

|stadium1=Capital Centre

|stadium2=Spectrum

|date1 =April 5

|score1 =2–3

|won1 =2

|recap1 =www.nhl.com/gamecenter/phi-vs-wsh/1989/04/05/1988030131#game=1988030131,game_state=final

|1-1-1 =Brian Propp (1) – 07:49
Tim Kerr (1) – pp – 11:52

|1-1-2 =14:49 – pp – Geoff Courtnall (1)

|1-2-1 =No scoring

|1-2-2 =12:24 – Michal Pivonka (1)
13:59 – Lou Franceschetti (1)

|1-3-1 =No scoring

|1-3-2 =No scoring

|goalie1-1 =Ron Hextall 33 saves / 36 shots

|goalie1-2 =Pete Peeters 27 saves / 29 shots

|date2 =April 6

|score2 =3–2

|won2 =1

|recap2 =www.nhl.com/gamecenter/phi-vs-wsh/1989/04/06/1988030132#game=1988030132,game_state=final

|2-1-1 =No scoring

|2-1-2 =No scoring

|2-2-1 =No scoring

|2-2-2 =19:59 – pp – Dino Ciccarelli (1)

|2-3-1 =Keith Acton (1) – 07:08
Brian Propp (2) – pp – 11:25
Brian Propp (3) – pp – 19:09

|2-3-2 =02:40 – Geoff Courtnall (2)

|goalie2-1 =Ron Hextall 19 saves / 21 shots

|goalie2-2 =Pete Peeters 23 saves / 26 shots

|date3 =April 8

|score3 =4–3

|ot3 =1

|won3 =2

|recap3 =www.nhl.com/gamecenter/wsh-vs-phi/1989/04/08/1988030133#game=1988030133,game_state=final

|3-1-1 =05:19 – pp – Rick Tocchet (1)

|3-1-2 =Bob Rouse (1) – 08:16

|3-2-1 =03:47 – Scott Mellanby (1)

|3-2-2 =Stephen Leach (1) – pp – 16:15

|3-3-1 =05:30 – Brian Propp (4)

|3-3-2 =Bengt-Ake Gustafsson (1) – pp – 12:15

|3-4-1 =No scoring

|3-4-2 =Kelly Miller (1) – 00:51

|goalie3-1 =Ron Hextall 40 saves / 44 shots

|goalie3-2 =Pete Peeters 21 saves / 24 shots

|date4 =April 9

|score4 =2–5

|won4 =1

|recap4 =www.nhl.com/gamecenter/wsh-vs-phi/1989/04/09/1988030134#game=1988030134,game_state=final

|4-1-1 =No scoring

|4-1-2 =No scoring

|4-2-1 =03:41 – pp – Tim Kerr (2)
08:54 – Dave Poulin (1)
12:01 – Gord Murphy (1)
19:00 – pp – Rick Tocchet (2)

|4-2-2 =No scoring

|4-3-1 =02:11 – Scott Mellanby (2)

|4-3-2 =Dino Ciccarelli (2) – pp – 10:03
Michal Pivonka (2) – sh – 11:32

|goalie4-1 =Ron Hextall 30 saves / 32 shots

|goalie4-2 =Pete Peeters 26 saves / 31 shots

|date5 =April 11

|score5 =8–5

|won5 =1

|recap5 =www.nhl.com/gamecenter/phi-vs-wsh/1989/04/11/1988030135#game=1988030135,game_state=final

|5-1-1 =Rick Tocchet (3) – 03:32
Mike Bullard (1) – 09:35

|5-1-2 =03:11 – Bob Rouse (2)
15:53 – pp – Dave Christian (1)

|5-2-1 =Tim Kerr (3) – 08:57
Tim Kerr (4) – pp – 14:32

|5-2-2 =04:41 – Michal Pivonka (3)
12:31 – pp – Dino Ciccarelli (3)

|5-3-1 =Brian Propp (5) – 08:03
Pelle Eklund (1) – pp – 13:52
Kjell Samuelsson (1) – 16:32
Ron Hextall (1) – sh-en – 18:58

|5-3-2 =05:35 – pp – Calle Johansson (1)

|goalie5-1 =Ron Hextall 29 saves / 34 shots

|goalie5-2 =Pete Peeters 18 saves / 25 shots

|date6 =April 13

|score6 =3–4

|won6 =1

|recap6 =www.nhl.com/gamecenter/wsh-vs-phi/1989/04/13/1988030136#game=1988030136,game_state=final

|6-1-1 =No scoring

|6-1-2 =Kevin Hatcher (1) – pp – 07:02

|6-2-1 =05:21 – sh – Brian Propp (6)
15:42 – pp – Gord Murphy (2)

|6-2-2 =No scoring

|6-3-1 =07:27 – Rick Tocchet (4)
16:42 – Rick Tocchet (5)

|6-3-2 =Scott Stevens (1) – 03:28
Bengt-Ake Gustafsson (2) – 13:13

|goalie6-1 =Ron Hextall 31 saves / 34 shots

|goalie6-2 =Pete Peeters 24 saves / 28 shots

|series = Philadelphia won series 4–2

}}

;Scoring

;Goaltending

;Scoring

;Goaltending

{{cite web |publisher=hockey-reference.com |accessdate=2009-06-01 |title=1988-89 Washington Capitals Statistics - Hockey-Reference.com|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/WSH/1989.html}}

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; SA=Shots against; SV=Shots saved; SV% = Save percentage;

{{Empty section|date=February 2013}}

{{Empty section|date=February 2013}}

Washington's draft picks at the 1988 NHL Entry Draft held at the Montreal Forum in Montreal.

{{Reflist}}

{{Washington Capitals seasons}}

{{Washington Capitals}}

{{1988–89 NHL season by team}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1988-89 Washington Capitals Season}}

Category:Washington Capitals seasons

Wash

Category:Patrick Division champion seasons

Washing

Washing