Stars and Sticks
Fansided

Greatest Washington Capitals Lineup of All Time

By Michael Marzzacco

WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 4: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates goal during a NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders on December 4, 2008 at the Verizon Center in Washington D.C. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/NHLI via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 4: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates goal during a NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders on December 4, 2008 at the Verizon Center in Washington D.C. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Second Line

23 Dec 1997: Kelly Miller #10 of the Washington Capitals in action during a game against the St. Louis Blues at the MCI Center in Washington D.C. The Capitals defeated the Blues 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger /Allsport
23 Dec 1997: Kelly Miller #10 of the Washington Capitals in action during a game against the St. Louis Blues at the MCI Center in Washington D.C. The Capitals defeated the Blues 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger /Allsport /

Left wing: Kelly Miller 1990-91

Center: Dale Hunter 1991-92

Right wing: Mike Gartner 1984-85

Kelly Miller was tied with defenseman Kevin Hatcher for the team lead in goals with 24 in the 1990-91 season adding26 assists. Miller came to the Capitals, along with Mike Ridley, from the New York Rangers in a trade for Bobby Carpenter in the middle of the 1986-87 season. Miller showed creativity on the offensive side and stuck to his man on the forechecking. Miller helped lead the Capitals to their first Stanley Cup Final appearance in 1998. Miller scored 162 goals and added 246 assists in 940 career Capitals games.

9 Jun 1998: Dale Hunter #32 of the Washington Capitals iis escorted off by a referee during the NHL Stanley Cup Finals game against the Detroit Red Wings at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. The Red Wings defeated the Capitals 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Elsa Hasch /Allsport
9 Jun 1998: Dale Hunter #32 of the Washington Capitals iis escorted off by a referee during the NHL Stanley Cup Finals game against the Detroit Red Wings at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. The Red Wings defeated the Capitals 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Elsa Hasch /Allsport /

Dale Hunter tied a career-high 28 goals in the 1991-92 season and was a “heart and soul” type of player, kind of like a T.J. Oshie. Hunter holds numerous Capitals records. Per the team website, Hunter is ranked first in penalty minutes with 2,003, second in games played with  872, tied for second in power play goals with 72, third in assists with 375, and third in points. Hunter scored 181 goals in his 12-year Capitals career.

LANDOVER, MD – 1984: Mike Gartner #11 of the Washington Capitals poses for a portrait circa 1984 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – 1984: Mike Gartner #11 of the Washington Capitals poses for a portrait circa 1984 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images) /

The 1984-85 season saw Mike Gartner have his best offensive year with 50 goals and 52 assists (102 points). Although this second line trio was in Washington around the same time, there was just one lone season where they were all teammates. That came in the 1987-88 season.

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