Washington Capitals
5th in Metropolitan · 10th in Eastern Conference
vs Flyers
Wed, Feb 25 · 7:00 PM ET · NBC Sports Philadelphia, Monumental Sports
5th in Metropolitan · 10th in Eastern Conference
vs Flyers
Wed, Feb 25 · 7:00 PM ET · NBC Sports Philadelphia, Monumental Sports
ESPN digs into the rare club of players who hoist the Stanley Cup and Olympic gold in the same calendar year. Insiders track these immortals, whose dual feats echo through draft rooms and Hall speeches. As today's stars eye history post-Milano Cortina, the list reveals what separates legends from the pack.
Washington brings home-ice advantage and superior offensive firepower into Wednesday's matchup against a Philadelphia team that's been hemorrhaging goals at an alarming rate. The Flyers have managed just 29 goals over their last ten games while allowing 35, a defensive collapse that's left them vulnerable heading into the nation's capital. The Capitals' computer models project a convincing 4-2 victory, with Washington favored at -161 on the moneyline and expected to cover the spread.
Details emerge on Kyle Connor's celebration after Team Canada's Olympic gold, blending Winnipeg pride with subtle NHL ties. Insiders dish on the guest list and vibes from a night that capped his Milano Cortina heroics. Jets fans crave the full scoop as Connor shifts focus back to the playoff chase.
Jets star Kyle Connor heads straight home to Winnipeg, passing on the White House invite after Olympic glory, while teammate Connor Hellebuyck plans his Trump visit. The split decisions highlight personal choices in a league navigating post-gold optics. Winnipeg's locker room buzzes with the contrast as both netted hardware in Milano Cortina.
Mika Zibanejad steps off the practice ice and straight into the media scrum, fresh from carrying Sweden deep into the Milano Olympics with a key third-period goal against Team USA. Rangers fans know the bounce-back season he's pieced together amid the Olympic chaos, and now he opens up on the highs of international play while J.T. Miller and Vincent Trocheck still chase gold in Italy.
Martin Fehérváry powers through February 24 with the kind of steady play that Caps fans have craved from their blue-line rock. He logs heavy minutes against top lines, shutting down rushes while jumping into the attack when chances open. This stretch defines his season as Washington pushes for positioning in a brutal Metro.
Jack Hughes, whose overtime snipe beat Canada for U.S. men's hockey gold, locks in his next big move after Milano glory. The New Jersey Devils center joins the team in D.C. for President Trump's address, embracing the invite with zero hesitation. Fresh off that 2-on-1 breakaway magic through Jordan Binnington's legs, Hughes reps the stars and stripes on hockey's hottest post-Olympic stage.
The NHL's long-awaited Olympic comeback grabs the spotlight as stars from all 32 teams light up Milano Cortina with standout shifts and clutch moments that echo back to club rinks. Players like Jack Eichel anchor top lines for Team USA while young guns such as Juraj Slafkovsky force defenses to game-plan around them, hinting at bigger roles waiting post-Games. Front offices buzz with how these international heroics reshape trade talks and playoff pushes as the league resumes this week.
The Washington Capitals will celebrate Black History Month on February 27 when they host the Vegas Golden Knights at Capital One Arena, featuring custom-designed specialty jerseys and a ceremonial puck drop that highlights the organization's commitment to diversity in hockey. The evening will showcase the Capitals' Black Hockey History Display and debut a new remix song dedicated to honoring Black players and alumni throughout franchise history.
The Olympics reignite casual interest in the NHL, and insiders lay out the must-know storylines dominating the league post-Milano Cortina. Standings shakeups, trade buzz, and breakout stars demand attention as teams jockey for playoff positioning. Casual fans diving back in discover a league transformed by the international break's drama.
Whispers from Panthers camp grow louder that Brad Marchand's NHL year hangs in the balance following a nagging injury that flared up at the Milano Cortina Olympics. The 37-year-old missed early tournament games and labored through Canada's medal matches, drawing sharp eyes from insiders like Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman. Florida scrambles to assess the damage on their top-six sparkplug, whose 50 points in 45 games fuel their playoff push.
Brad Marchand receives devastating news on his injury sustained at the Milano Cortina Olympics, clouding his Panthers future. The gritty winger pushed through Canada's silver-medal run despite clear limitations, alarming front-office types. Teammates rally as evaluations dictate if Florida's agitator returns for the playoff chase.
Quinn Hughes lands with the Wild from Vancouver on December 12 and immediately rewires their blue line, racking up 57 points in 52 games while anchoring the top pair with Kirill Kaprizov. His Olympic heroics in Milano Cortina - from OT winners to record assists - prove why GM Bill Guerin shelled out the farm for him, turning a middling defense into a juggernaut.
San Jose teeters on the trade deadline ledge, weighing buy, sell or stand pat amid a swirling prospect pool and veteran contracts. Doug Wilson types huddle as rivals circle the wounded. Their choice flips the script on Western Conference wild card hopes and summer rebuild vibes.
The Washington Capitals are 5th in the Metropolitan Division with a 29-23-7 record (65 points). Key injuries include Pierre-Luc Dubois (Abdomen, IR), Ryan Leonard (Shoulder, IR), Charlie Lindgren (Lower Body, IR), and 2 others on IR/LTIR, totaling $22.32M on injured reserve.