Capitals' Inconsistencies Continue in Fourth Straight Loss Despite Strome’s Spark and Carlson’s Milestone
The Washington Capitals had a golden opportunity to reset the narrative on Wednesday night. Tom Wilson was back in the lineup after an eight-game absence, and they were facing a Vancouver Canucks team riding an 11-game losing streak.
On paper, it looked like the perfect setup to snap a three-game skid. But once again, the same issues that have haunted this team all season reared their head - inconsistency, lapses at even strength, and an inability to sustain momentum.
Despite a strong start and a multi-point night from Dylan Strome, the Capitals couldn’t hold off a Vancouver team that found its footing midway through the game. The result? A 4-3 loss that extends Washington’s losing streak to four and leaves more questions than answers as the season grinds on.
Power Play Starts Hot, But Capitals Can’t Keep the Pressure
Washington opened the game with an early 5-on-3 advantage, and for a moment, it looked like the team was finally ready to flip the switch. The power play, which has been inconsistent for stretches this season, came alive.
Tom Wilson helped jumpstart the sequence, and Dylan Strome cashed in first, putting the Caps on the board. Just over a minute later, Justin Sourdif added another on the 5-on-4, marking his 10th goal of the year and giving D.C. a quick 2-0 lead.
But as has been the case too often this year, the early spark fizzled out.
Instead of building on that momentum, the Capitals let Vancouver right back in. Brock Boeser and Evander Kane responded before the first period ended, erasing Washington’s lead and shifting the energy in the building.
Then, in the second, the Canucks took full control. Drew O’Connor and Filip Hronek struck in quick succession, turning a 2-0 Capitals lead into a 4-2 deficit in a matter of minutes.
That’s been the story far too often for this group - a promising start undone by a stretch of uninspired, flat hockey.
Strome Shines, But Comeback Falls Short
To their credit, the Capitals didn’t go quietly. Strome added his second goal of the night in the third period - his 13th of the season - to cut the deficit to one. But that was as close as they’d get.
Logan Thompson turned aside 21 of 25 shots, and while the special teams showed signs of life, the 5-on-5 play wasn’t nearly good enough. Washington struggled to generate sustained pressure, particularly in the second period, and too often found themselves chasing the puck instead of dictating the tempo.
There’s also the matter of shot volume. The Capitals simply didn’t put enough rubber on net.
In a game where momentum was up for grabs and the Canucks were vulnerable, Washington couldn’t take advantage. That lack of urgency in the offensive zone continues to be a major concern.
Wilson Returns, Carlson Reaches 600 Assists
There were a few bright spots in the loss, starting with the return of Tom Wilson. After missing eight games with a lower-body injury, the veteran winger logged over 20 minutes of ice time and picked up an assist, extending his personal point streak to four games. His presence was felt immediately - physically, emotionally, and on the scoresheet.
Meanwhile, John Carlson hit a major career milestone with his 600th assist. The veteran defenseman has long been a steadying force on the blue line, and hitting that mark is a testament to both his longevity and his vision as a playmaker. It’s a significant achievement, even if it came on a night the team would rather forget.
The Bottom Line
This one hurts - not just because of the loss, but because of what it represents. A winnable game against a struggling opponent turned into yet another missed opportunity. The Capitals showed flashes of the team they can be, but once again, they couldn’t put together a full 60 minutes.
With the season entering a critical stretch, time is running out for Washington to find consistency. The pieces are there - Strome is producing, Wilson is back, and Carlson continues to lead - but until the team can string together complete efforts, the results won’t change.
The good news? The special teams are trending in the right direction.
The bad news? That won’t matter much if the 5-on-5 play doesn’t catch up.