A Look Back at the Only NHL All Star Game Washington has Hosted

Photo: @TedStarkey via Getty Images

35 years ago today, the Capitals hosted the NHL All Star Game at the old Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. At the time, this was the 34th NHL All Star Game.

Photo: @TedStarkey

The format of the All Star game was much different at the time. Instead of the Eastern Conference vs. Western Conference, or the new 3-on-3 division format that was incorporated last year, the NHL was split in two conferences: the Clarence Campbell Conference and the Prince of Wales Conference. Wales had 10 teams while Campbell had 11.

Before a crowd of 18,130, the Wales Conference defeated the Campbell Conference 4-2. The Capitals had one representative and that was Dennis Maruk.

Rod Langway also participated in the game but he was with the Canadiens at the time. Both players were a part of the Wales Conference.

The Campbell Conference featured standouts such as Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier. Dino Ciccarelli, who was with the North Stars at the time, was also a part of that All Star team.

Mike Bossy of the Islanders would win the game’s MVP award thanks to two goals. His first tally broke a 2-2 tie late in the second period. His second came early in the third which would seal the win.

Gretzky scored his first ever All Star goal. Maruk became the first Capitals player to record a point in an All Star Game since Denis Dupere had an assist in the 1975 game back during Washington’s inaugural season. Maruk assisted on a goal by Raymond Bourque which was Wales first goal of the night at 12:03 of the opening period.

Tickets for the game started at $10 with it’s highest price being $17.50. Parking was $2.50.

You can relive the full game below: