Photo by Denis Brodeur/NHLI via Getty Images
The Washington Capitals celebrate their 50th anniversary.th To mark the 50th anniversary, NoVa Caps summarizes each of the previous 49 seasons, from earliest to most recent. The 1977-78 season was the fourth NHL season for the Washington Capitals.
Their record in the 1977/78 season was 17-49-14 in 80 games with 48 points, which meant fifth place in the Norris Division and second worst in the NHL, only the Minnesota North Stars were better. This was a drop of more than ten points in the standings from the previous season. The Capitals finished 17thth of 18 for goals scored and 15th of 18 for goals conceded.
They won their second game of the season on October 26, but did not win again until December 7. During this period, they achieved several draws to break the losing streak, but the winless period ended with a four-game losing streak.
They won their first two games in 1978, but did not win again until January 21. The second half of the season was largely characterized by long winless periods, including three losing streaks of four or more games. They finished the season on a high note by winning their last three games.
Photo: eBay
Notable Capitals draftees in the 1977 NHL Draft
- Robert Picard (1st Round – #2 overall)
- Mark Lofthouse (2and Round – #21 overall)
- Rollie Boutin (7th Round – #111 overall)
Managing Director: Max McNab
Head coach: Tom McVie
Captain: Yvon Labre
management
Goals: Guy Charron (38), Bob Sirois (34)
Assists: Bob Sirois (37), Guy Charron (35)
Points: Guy Charron (74), Bob Sirois (61)
Penalty minutes: Gordon Lane (195), Bryan Watson (167)
Important Trades
- August 17, 1977 – Rights to Ron Low and 1979 3rd Round pick to the Detroit Red Wings for Walt McKechnie, 1978 3rd Round Pick, and 1979 2and Round pimple
- October 16, 1977 – Hartland Monahan was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins for 1979.st Round pimple
Previous summaries
Season 1974–75
Season 1975–76
Season 1976–77
By Diane Doyle
