Capitals Gear Up for Final Stretch After Olympic Break
As the NHL returns from its Olympic hiatus, the Washington Capitals are set to hit the ice once more, ready to tackle the demanding final leg of the regular season. With the break for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics behind them, the Capitals are back in action on Wednesday, February 25.
Chasing the Playoffs
The Capitals find themselves in a pivotal moment. With a record of 29-23-7, they sit fifth in the Metropolitan Division.
The playoff race is heating up as they trail the Boston Bruins by four points for the Eastern Conference's second wild card spot and are also four points behind the New York Islanders for third in the Metro. The team aims to reignite the momentum they had before the break, having won four of their last five games.
The front office is actively pursuing a "higher-end, skilled" winger to bolster their roster before the March 6 trade deadline.
Ovechkin's Milestone and Future
Captain Alex Ovechkin, now 40, is navigating the final year of his current contract amid swirling retirement rumors. He recently shared that he will take time to consider his future with his family and team ownership after the season.
Meanwhile, Ovechkin is on the brink of history, sitting at 996 combined career goals. Just four more, and he'll join Wayne Gretzky as the only players to reach 1,000 combined goals in NHL history.
Roster Updates and Injuries
Goaltender Charlie Lindgren is back from a lower-body injury and ready for Wednesday's game, prompting Garin Bjorklund's loan to the AHL's Hershey Bears. Meanwhile, star defenseman John Carlson remains day-to-day with a lower-body injury but has resumed skating.
Upcoming Challenges
The Capitals face a challenging schedule right out of the gate, including a tough back-to-back over the weekend. They'll need to leverage home-ice advantage in their first two games before heading north.
Upcoming Games:
- Wednesday, Feb. 25: vs. Philadelphia Flyers at Capital One Arena, Washington, DC, 7:00 PM
- Friday, Feb. 27: vs. Vegas Golden Knights at Capital One Arena, Washington, DC, 7:00 PM
- Saturday, Feb. 28: @ Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre, Montreal, QC, 7:00 PM
With the stakes high and the clock ticking, the Capitals are poised for a thrilling race to the playoffs.