April 16

On April 16, 1988, the Washington Capitals defeated the Philadelphia Flyers by a 5-4 score in overtime of Game 7 of the opening round of the playoffs. The win enabled Washington to advance to the second round where it would face the New Jersey Devils.

A deadlocked game went into overtime with the two teams tied at 4-4. Pete Peeters was in the nets for Washington, Ron Hextall stood between the pipes for Philadelphia. Larry Murphy pried a puck loose along the wall in the Washington end and Dale Hunter – anticipating the play – broke for the red line. Murphy hit him in full stride and he skated in alone on Hextall. Hunter deked and shot and the puck went through the five-hole and into the back of the net. Washington had its first ever series win in a best-of-seven playoff set.

The Caps went on to a valiantly fought series against the Devils but Washington ultimately fell in seven games.