1985–86 Washington Capitals season

The 1985–86 Washington Capitals season was the 12th in the franchise's history. The Capitals finished 2nd in the Patrick Division and lost in the Division Finals to the New York Rangers 4 games to 2.

Off-season
The Washington Capitals picked Yvon Corriveau in the first round (19th overall) of the 1985 NHL Entry Draft.

Regular Season
The fifty wins which the Washington Capitals won during the regular season placed them second in the Patrick Division, after the Philadelphia Flyers, and earned them a berth in the playoffs, which would be the fourth consecutive time it had made the playoffs since the 1982–83 NHL season.

Playoffs
The 1985–86 NHL season was the fourth time the Washington Capitals had made the playoffs and they defeated the New York Islanders in three games in a best of five series. However, the Capitals were eliminated by the New York Rangers four games to two in a best of seven series.

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; SA=Shots Against; SV=Shots saved; SV% = Save Percentage

Awards and Records

 * The 107 points scored by the Washington Capitals in this season would not be surpassed until the 2008–09 Washington Capitals season, when the team scored 108 points in the regular season.
 * Alan Haworth scored a goal in nine consecutive games, setting a Washington record.

Draft Picks
In the 1986 NHL Entry Draft, the Washington Capitals picked Jeff Greenlaw in the first round (19th overall).