For the 1984-85 season, Caps coach Bryan Murray added new meaning to the phrase, “Costly losses.”Murray decreed that the Capitals should achieve 12 standings points for each 10-game chunk of the season. “Failing that,” explained the AP, “each player will be asked to donate $50 to charity.”
Coincidentally, the Caps earned exactly 12 points over the first 10 games of the season. Then they relaxed the grip on their wallets, winning just two of their next ten games.
Not only did Coach Murray collect the charity donations, he upped the ante: the next 12-point quota would have to be earned in nine games instead of 10.
The team responded with a 7-1-1 stretch. In fact, they went 27-5-3 after paying the penalty. Murray credited the improvement to playing more physical. But was it possible they were just more economical?