Capitals News

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Lars Eller  • C  •  Capitals

Lars Eller Plans to Continue Playing

Washington Capitals center Lars Eller turned 36 this month but has no plans to hang up his skates. "I'll definitely keep playing," Eller told Sammi Silber of the DC Backcheck. "My body feels good." Eller had a disappointing season and ended it as a healthy scratch for Washington during the playoffs. He posted 10 goals and 22 points in 80 games with the Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins, a significant drop from the 31 points Eller had the year before. Considering how his return to Washington turned out, it appears unlikely that we will see Eller suit up for the Capitals in 2024-25. However, the Danish veteran seems highly motivated to continue playing, with the Olympics on the horizon.
5 days ago   
Alex Ovechkin  • LW  •  Capitals

Capitals Expect Alex Ovechkin to Return for 2025-26 Season

Washington Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin is expected to lace them up for his 21st NHL season in 2025-26. "My understanding is he's under contract, so he'll be back next year," Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery said following the team's playoff exit against the Carolina Hurricanes. Ovechkin, who will turn 40 in September, will start the final season of a five-year, $47.5 million contract this fall. The Hurricanes limited Ovechkin to just one goal in five games, but the veteran star proved during the regular season that he can still get the job done for Washington and fantasy managers alike. Ovechkin scored 44 goals and 73 points in 65 appearances, breaking Wayne Gretzky's long-standing NHL goals record along the way.
7 days ago   
Lars Eller  • C  •  Capitals

Lars Eller Won't Play On Thursday

Washington Capitals center Lars Eller will be a healthy scratch for Thursday's Game 5 against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Danish veteran has failed to make a significant impact in these playoffs and will come out of the lineup after logging less than 10 minutes of ice time in two of four games versus Carolina. Eller has gone goalless with three shots on net in nine playoff games, registering only one assist. Washington plans to use Connor McMichael as the third-line center in Thursday's contest. He has previously featured as a winger on the second line. Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery will shuffle his lines as the team enters desperation mode, needing a victory on Thursday to remain alive in the series.
May 15   
Charlie Lindgren  • G  •  Capitals

Charlie Lindgren May Miss Thursday's Game

Washington Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren (personal) may not be in the lineup on Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 31-year-old is dealing with a personal matter and might be forced to sit out Game 5 of the second-round series. The Capitals have brought Clay Stevenson up from the minors to potentially serve as the backup to Logan Thompson on Thursday night. While Thompson and Lindgren shared the starts fairly evenly during the regular season, Thompson has been the clear No. 1 in the playoffs. Despite allowing eight goals over the last two games against Carolina, Thompson has performed well in the postseason and is not at risk of losing his starting spot.
May 15   
Anthony Beauvillier  • LW  •  Capitals

Anthony Beauvillier Returns To Top Line Thursday

Washington Capitals left wing Anthony Beauvillier will be back on the top line in Game 5 against the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday. The 27-year-old started the postseason as a member of the first line but was relegated to a fourth-line role following Aliaksei Protas' return from a foot injury. At the start of the playoffs, Beauvillier was quite productive skating alongside Alex Ovechkin and Dylan Strome. He has recorded five points (one goal, four assists) in nine postseason games, firing 20 shots on goal. Protas will begin Thursday's do-or-die game on the second line.
May 15   
Alex Ovechkin  • LW  •  Capitals

Alex Ovechkin Ends Goal Drought With Power-Play Marker

Washington Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin scored a power-play goal in Monday's 5-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. He registered his 77th career postseason goal, passing Mario Lemieux for 12th place on the NHL's all-time playoff goals list, but Washington's offense was no match for Carolina on Monday night. The Hurricanes have done an incredible job defensively against Ovechkin, as the NHL's all-time leading goal-scorer was without a point in the series heading into Game 4. He went goalless in the first three games of the series, with eight shots on goal. Overall, Ovechkin has netted five goals in these playoffs and added one assist in nine outings.
May 13   
Ryan Leonard  • RW  •  Capitals

Ryan Leonard To Re-Enter Capitals Lineup Monday

Washington Capitals right wing Ryan Leonard is poised to re-enter the lineup for Game 4 against the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday night. Taylor Raddysh, who has played in the last two games, will come out of the lineup. Leonard made his NHL debut late in the regular season and has yet to make a significant impact with the Capitals. In eight playoff appearances, he has registered one assist, 11 shots, and seven hits, averaging 10:21 of ice time. Washington will use Leonard on the third line with Mangiapane and Eller Monday night.
May 12   
Charlie Lindgren  • G  •  Capitals

Charlie Lindgren Returns To Practice Friday

Washington Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren (personal) took part in Friday's optional practice. He returned to the team after missing Thursday's Game 2 against the Carolina Hurricanes to deal with a personal matter. Mitchell Gibson served as Logan Thompson's backup in the contest. Lindgren is poised to take over the duties on Saturday night. With Thompson in top form, Lindgren has seen his ice time in the postseason limited to just 6:37. Nonetheless, he remains a reliable option for Washington, having finished the regular season with a 20-14-3 record.
May 9   
Tom Wilson  • RW  •  Capitals

Tom Wilson Collects Two Points In Thursday's Win

Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson registered a goal and an assist in Thursday's 3-1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes. After seeing Game 1 of the series go into overtime, the two teams once again played out a tightly contested affair. Wilson secured the win for Washington with an empty-net goal with exactly a minute remaining in regulation. He also factored in the game-winning goal, picking up a power-play assist on John Carlson's first goal of this postseason. After the game, Wilson was highly praised by his teammates for his performance. "Obviously he set the tone," Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin said. "He's our leader. He plays smart. He plays physical. Scored a big goal." Wilson has been Washington's second-highest scorer in these playoffs, posting seven points (three goals, four assists) in as many games.
May 9   
Dylan Strome  • C  •  Capitals

Dylan Strome Extends Point Streak With Two Assists

Washington Capitals center Dylan Strome finished Wednesday's 4-1 win against the Montreal Canadiens with two assists. The talented playmaker notched both of his helpers on the power play, with Alex Ovechkin and Tom Wilson lighting the lamp. Washington needed only five games to take care of Montreal, and Strome stood out in the series since Game 1. He produced three multi-point efforts in the matchup and had nine points (two goals, seven assists). Only three players have been more productive offensively in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Dating back to the regular season, Strome is riding an eight-game point streak and has been scoreless only once in his past 14 outings, which should keep his confidence levels high for a tough series against the Carolina Hurricanes in Round 2.
May 1   
Alex Ovechkin  • LW  •  Capitals

Alex Ovechkin Pots 30th Playoff Power-Play Goal

Washington Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin opened the scoring on the power play to help the team advance to the next playoff round with a 4-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday night. The NHL's all-time top goal-scorer found the back of the net off a Dylan Strome faceoff in the middle of the first frame. This was Ovechkin's 30th career postseason power-play goal, tying him with Joe Pavelski and Nicklas Lidstrom for fifth place on the NHL's all-time list. The veteran superstar recorded two power-play goals in total against the Canadiens and finished the series with five points (four goals, one assist) in as many games. Next up, Ovechkin and the Capitals will face the Carolina Hurricanes. During the regular season, Ovechkin had two goals and three points in three games of the matchup.
May 1   
Aliaksei Protas  • C  •  Capitals

Aliaksei Protas Likely To Return Wednesday

Washington Capitals forward Aliaksei Protas (foot) is expected to return to action on Wednesday night against the Montreal Canadiens. After recovering from a skate cut on his foot, Protas fully participated in Tuesday's practice. He will add offensive firepower and penalty-killing ability to the lineup. Protas produced 30 goals and 66 points in 76 regular-season games. Washington has utilized Protas on the top line, but he may need to wait a bit to regain his role, as the team has received outstanding production from Anthony Beauvillier during the playoffs.
Apr 30   
Aliaksei Protas  • C  •  Capitals

Aliaksei Protas Considered A Game-Time Decision Sunday

Washington Capitals forward Aliaksei Protas (foot) is considered a game-time decision for Sunday's matchup against the Montreal Canadiens. Protas fully participated in Saturday's practice and could return to action after a nine-game absence. The Capitals have averaged 3.00 goals per game in the playoffs, but Protas could provide an additional boost to the offense. He had a breakout campaign with 30 goals and 66 points in 76 games. Protas is a candidate to join the top six, although the Capitals may reintroduce the 24-year-old into the lineup in a reduced role, especially with Anthony Beauvillier performing well on the first line.
Apr 27   
Logan Thompson  • G  •  Capitals

Logan Thompson A Game-Time Call Sunday

Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson (lower body) is a game-time decision for Sunday's contest against the Montreal Canadiens. The in-form netminder suffered a lower-body injury in Game 3 on Friday but might be available to play on Sunday after participating in the morning skate. Thompson has played a big role in Washington's success in the first-round series, posting a 2.73 goals-against average with a .917 save percentage. If he isn't available on Sunday, the Capitals will turn to Charlie Lindgren, who stopped four of five shots during a relief effort on Friday night.
Apr 27   
Aliaksei Protas  • C  •  Capitals

Aliaksei Protas Practices Fully On Saturday

Washington Capitals forward Aliaksei Protas (foot) is on track to rejoin the lineup for Sunday's Game 4 against the Montreal Canadiens. He was a full participant in Saturday's practice and could make his first appearance since April 4, when Protas sustained a skate cut on the top of his left foot during a matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks. Protas was highly effective for the Capitals during the regular season, putting up a career-high 30 goals and 66 points in 76 games, while ranking third in the league with a plus-40 rating. Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery will have some big decisions to make, as Protas' replacement on the first line, Anthony Beauvillier, has had a great start to the postseason with four points (one goal, three assists) in three games.
Apr 26   
Logan Thompson  • G  •  Capitals

Logan Thompson Exits Loss With Injury

Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson suffered an apparent left leg injury in Friday's Game 3 against the Montreal Canadiens. He was forced to leave the contest with 6:37 remaining in regulation after a collision with teammate Dylan Strome. Following an outstanding start to the series, Thompson had a bad night on Friday, allowing five goals on 35 shots. His replacement, Charlie Lindgren, gave up one goal on five shots in the final few minutes. Thompson, who went 31-6-6 during the regular season, must recover by Sunday to avoid missing additional time. His absence would be a blow for Washington, although Lindgren is a capable replacement. He finished the regular season with a 20-14-3 record.
Apr 26   
Aliaksei Protas  • C  •  Capitals

Aliaksei Protas Traveling With Capitals

Washington Capitals forward Aliaksei Protas (foot) has traveled with the team for Games 3 and 4 against the Montreal Canadiens. Protas is expected to return to the lineup in this series and could be an option on Friday night. The two teams will also clash in Montreal on Sunday. Washington lost Protas eight games ago due to a skate cut on his left foot. The team has coped well with his absence, building a 2-0 lead in the matchup, but he would be a valuable addition. Anthony Beauvillier has skated on the first line in Protas' absence during the first two games in the series, recording a goal and two assists with a team-high eight shots.
Apr 24   
Logan Thompson  • G  •  Capitals

Logan Thompson Comes Up Big In Game 2

Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson played a crucial role in Wednesday's 3-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens. Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery hailed Thompson as the "difference" in the game after he stopped 25 of 26 shots. Thompson's work included several outstanding saves, especially in the third period when the Capitals held a slender 2-1 lead. Thompson joined a select group of netminders on Wednesday night, becoming the fourth goaltender to win his first two playoff games with the Capitals. He has allowed 1.47 goals in the series, boasting a superb .951 save percentage. With Thompson in such good form, the Capitals have a great chance of making a deep postseason run.
Apr 24   
Connor McMichael  • C  •  Capitals

Connor McMichael Strikes Twice In Wednesday's Win

Washington Capitals forward Connor McMichael popped up with two goals as the team snuck past the Montreal Canadiens 3-1 on Wednesday night. McMichael tied the game at one early in the second period and completed his multi-goal effort with an empty-netter in the dying seconds of the third. The 24-year-old scored a career-high 26 goals and 57 points in 82 games during the regular season and is also poised to contribute in the playoffs for the Capitals, who secured a 2-0 series lead on Wednesday night. McMichael's goals represent his first postseason points this year, but he ranks second on the team with seven shots on the net.
Apr 24   
Martin Fehérváry  • D  •  Capitals

Martin Fehervary To Miss Postseason Following Knee Surgery

Washington Capitals defenseman Martin Fehervary (knee) will miss the 2024-25 postseason. The team announced on Tuesday that Fehervary underwent surgery on Monday for a torn meniscus in his right knee. He sustained the injury in Washington's penultimate game of the regular season against the New York Islanders and has missed two contests. The 25-year-old recorded 25 points (five goals, 20 assists), 76 shots, 150 blocks, and 139 hits in 81 games this season. Fehervary's replacement in the lineup, Alexander Alexeyev, was injured in Monday's postseason opener against the Montreal Canadiens, requiring "significant dental work" after taking a stick to the face late in the third period, but he is expected to be available for Wednesday's Game 2.
Apr 22   
LEGEND
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