The Washington Capitals are starting to look like a team finding its footing again-just in time for the stretch run. After a rough patch that saw them win just two of nine games, the Caps have rattled off three straight victories. And while none of those wins were exactly masterpieces, they were gritty, chaotic, and-most importantly-worth two points apiece in a Metropolitan Division race that’s tighter than a goalmouth scramble in overtime.
So, what’s sparked the turnaround? It’s not just the big names. In fact, it’s been a handful of unexpected contributors stepping up and a rookie goaltender showing he might be ready for the big stage.
Unsung Heroes Leading the Charge
Let’s start with Nic Dowd. The veteran fourth-liner isn’t usually the guy you expect to see on the scoresheet, but he’s been making noise lately.
Two goals, an assist, and a shootout winner during this streak-half his season’s goal total in just one week. His tally against the Islanders was the insurance marker, capping off three unanswered goals for Washington.
Dowd’s always been a dependable faceoff guy, hovering around 50% on the dot, but now he’s adding timely offense to his toolbox.
Then there’s Declan Chisholm. With Matt Roy and Rasmus Sandin sidelined, the defenseman got his shot-and made it count.
He netted his first goal of the season in a wild 4-3 shootout win over Detroit. Chisholm hasn’t had many chances to prove himself at the NHL level, but he didn’t look out of place when the team needed him most.
And don’t overlook Hendrix Lapierre. The young forward had been stuck in a scoring drought that stretched all the way back to 2024, but he broke through with a goal against Carolina-just his second of the season.
If that lifts some weight off his shoulders, he could be a sneaky contributor down the stretch. The Caps don’t need him to carry the offense, but if he chips in now and then, it could be the difference in a tight playoff race.
Clay Stevenson: Calm Under Pressure
Goaltending looked like a looming crisis when both Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren went down with injuries. But Clay Stevenson, called up from the Hershey Bears, has stepped in and looked like he belongs.
Stevenson had been solid in the AHL-an 11-8-4 record with a .912 save percentage-but the NHL is a different animal. Or so we thought.
In his first start, he turned aside 19 shots and helped Washington rally past the Hurricanes in overtime. Then he followed it up with a 29-save performance against the Islanders, bumping his NHL save percentage to .923.
That’s not just serviceable-that’s starter-quality in a small sample. The Capitals suddenly have a young netminder who looks composed, confident, and capable of holding the fort while the regulars heal. And maybe, just maybe, he’s making a case for a longer-term role.
Health Finally on Their Side
Outside of Connor McMichael, who hit injured reserve on January 31, the Capitals are finally getting close to full strength. That’s been a rarity this season. The absence of players like Sandin and Roy earlier in the year disrupted defensive pairings and overall chemistry, but now that most of the roster is back, the team is starting to click again.
Even with the frequent line shuffling, there’s a noticeable rhythm returning to Washington’s game. The pieces are fitting together more naturally, and that’s showing up on the scoreboard-even if the wins aren’t always pretty.
Playoff Picture: Still Wide Open
Right now, the Capitals sit in third place in the Eastern Conference wild-card race. But with just a few more points, they could leapfrog the Islanders and reclaim a playoff spot in the Metro. It’s going to be a dogfight to the finish-par for the course in this division-but if Washington keeps grinding out wins like they have over the past week, they’ll be in the mix when it matters most.
Tonight’s matchup against the Flyers and Thursday’s game against the Predators are the last two before the break. Two more wins would give the Caps a serious boost heading into a much-needed rest period-especially for Olympians like Tom Wilson, Logan Thompson, and Martin Fehervary, who won’t be getting much downtime.
The Capitals aren’t out of the woods yet, but they’ve found a path forward. And if the depth keeps producing, the goaltending stays steady, and the health holds up, this team could be primed for yet another postseason run.