 He would not make the Capitals roster until the 1988–89 NHL season, where he was usually a fourth-line defensive specialist.During the 1989–90 NHL season, his regular season statistics would continue to be unspectacular (8 goals in 45 games), but during the playoffs he exploded for 14 goals (a club record until 2018) and helped guide the Capitals to their first conference finals appearance.In the division semifinals versus the New Jersey Devils, Druce scored three goals in the six game series won by Washington, including two game winners.