Changes in how the league awards standings points, and extending the regular season, make it harder to compare teams from different generations.Such as: the 2009-10 Capitals smashed team records for wins (54) and points (121). By comparison, the 1985-86 Capitals earned 50 wins and 107 points.
But just hold on a gol-darn minute. (Or is that goal-darn minute?)
Back in '85-'86, teams played two fewer games, didn't earn a point for overtime losses, and there was no shootout.
The '09-'10 Caps, by comparison, earned *1* win and *3* standings points during the extra two games at the end of the season. They added *5* wins and *5* points for shootout victories, and *13* points for OT and shootout losses.So, here's the "point". By 1980's NHL standards, the 2009-10 Caps would have earned 48 wins and 101 standings points.
That's fewer in both categories than '85-'86 squad of Gartner, Gustafsson, Langway, et al.
For what it's worth, a computer simulation playoff series between the two squads (whatifsports.com) resulted in a 4-game sweep by the Ovechkin team.