In Ciccarelli's first full season with the Capitals, he scored 41 goals in 1989-90, which marked his fifth consecutive season of 40+ goals, while finishing with a team high 79 points. Ciccarelli had a four-goal game against the Quebec Nordiques on February 6, 1990 in a 12-2 victory. In the playoffs, Ciccarelli had eight goals and 11 points in eight games before suffering an injury on April 21, 1990 against the New York Rangers that would end his season. Ciccarelli had a hat trick in the playoffs, scoring three goals and an assist against the New Jersey Devils in a 5-4 overtime win on April 5, 1990.