The Washington Capitals have another Alex Ovechkin goal to celebrate but not much else.
Ovechkin scored a 5-on-3 power play goal Wednesday night for the 892nd goal of his career. He needs three more goals to pass Wayne Gretzky and become the NHL’s all-time leader.
Otherwise, Carolina dominated in a 5-1 home victory that clinched the Hurricanes a playoff berth. They scored three power-play goals to hand the Capitals their fourth loss in five games. Washington goalie Logan Thompson didn’t return after the first intermission because of an upper-body injury and he’ll be re-evaluated when the team gets home.
The game got of hand at the end with several scrums and eight misconducts. The teams will meet again in eight days and could be playoff opponents in the second round.
Ovechkin and the Capitals will return home for a Friday game against the Chicago Blackhawks. He has 15 goals in 25 career regular season games against Chicago.
Highlights from Wednesday’s Capitals-Hurricanes game:
Alex Ovechkin stats today
The Capitals captain played 20:10 and finished with one goal, on a 5-on-3 power play, on four shots.
Final score: Hurricanes 5, Capitals 1
The victory clinches a playoff berth for the Hurricanes. Alex Ovechkin gets another goal, but the Hurricanes dominate on the scoreboard, particularly their power play. Things got feisty at the end, and the teams will meet again on April 10.
Another scrum
With 5:34 left, players square off again. Brandon Duhaime, Nic Dowd, Mark Jankowski and Tyson Jost get misconducts. Washington will get an eventual power play, but first Connor McMichael and Jalen Chatfield fight.
Capitals-Hurricanes scrum
With the Hurricanes on a power play, Tom Wilson gets a double minor for roughing and a misconduct. He’s out of the game. So is Logan Stankoven (misconduct)
Capitals-Hurricanes score: Jackson Blake scores again
The Hurricanes win a faceoff. The puck comes to Jackson Blake, who stickhandles in and roofs a backhander past Charlie Lindgren. That’s Carolina’s third power-play goal of the game. Hurricanes 5, Capitals 1
Hurricanes go on power play
Jakob Chychrun called for slashing.
Third period underway
The Capitals open with an abbreviated power play. Carolina kills it off.
Alex Ovechkin stats
He has one goal, four shots, four other shot attempts in 14:34 of ice time through two periods.
End of second period: Hurricanes 4, Capitals 1
Capitals goalie Logan Thompson doesn’t come out because of an injury. Charlie Lindgren gives up a Logan Stankoven goal, but the Capitals tighten up and Alex Ovechkin scores a 5-on-3 power play goal. Washington outshoots Carolina 12-6 in the period.
Alex Ovechkin goal
He takes advantage of a 5-on-3 power play and scores on a one-timer from above the left faceoff circle. That’s goal No. 892, leaving him needing three goals to break the record. It’s his 39th goal of the season and his 323rd career power-play goal. Hurricanes 4, Capitals 1
Capitals get power play
Taylor Hall in the penalty box again. There’s 1:33 left in the second period. Alex Ovechkin doesn’t connect on two shots, but a Brent Burns penalty makes it 5-on-3.
Alex Ovechkin blocked
Brent Burns blocks an Alex Ovechkin shot off a faceoff. The Hurricanes are playing tight defense against him.
Frederik Andersen saves
Martin Fehervary and Trevor van Riemsdyk take long shots against Frederik Andersen, but the goalie freezes the puck before Alex Ovechkin can get a rebound.
Capitals-Hurricanes score: Carolina piling on
This time it’s Logan Stankoven, who was part of the Hurricanes’ second Mikko Rantanen trade. Jack Roslovic makes a nice pass to spring him.
Logan Thompson injury update
The Capitals announce that goalie Logan Thompson left the game because of an upper-body injury. He’s doubtful to return
Alex Ovechkin stopped
Alex Ovechkin. sent in alone, tries to go high over Frederik Andersen’s glove but is stopped.
Second period underway
Charlie Lindgren now in the Capitals’ net after Logan Thompson gave up three goals. Thompson has given up 13 goals over the last three games.
Alex Ovechkin stats
Alex Ovechkin has one shot and no points in 7:51 of ice time.
End of first period: Hurricanes 3, Capitals 0
Carolina is always tough to play against, and the Capitals have the disadvantage of playing on back-to-back nights. The Hurricanes outshoot Washington 12-5. Carolina, which already connected twice on the power play, will have an abbreviated one to start the second period.
Capitals go back on power play
Taylor Hall is called for tripping. Washington’s Logan Thompson makes a sliding toe save on Mark Jankowski. Connor McMichael takes a penalty and it’s 4-on-4.
Capitals go on power play
Hurricanes kill it off. No shots for Washington. Carolina’s Seth Jarvis is stopped on a short-handed chance.
Capitals-Hurricanes score: Carolina get another PPG
Seth Jarvis gets this one, his 30th goal of the season. It looks a lot like an Alex Ovechkin goal, a one-timer from the left faceoff circle. Shayne Gostisbehere gave Jarvis the pass. Hurricanes 3, Capitals 0
Capitals-Hurricanes score: Carolina gets power-play goal
Washington’s Lars Eller is called for interference. Jackson Blake scores on a rebound at 10:11. Hurricanes 2, Capitals 0
Capitals-Hurricanes score: Carolina takes lead
Carolina’s Sean Walker scores after Frederik Andersen makes a big save on Aliaksei Protas at the other end of the ice. Hurricanes 1, Capitals 0
Alex Ovechkin gets chance
Pierre-Luc Dubois sets up Alex Ovechkin near the front of the net, but he shoots wide.
Game underway
Alex Ovechkin needs three goals to tie Wayne Gretzky and four to beat his goal record.
When is Alex Ovechkin’s next game? Capitals vs. Hurricanes start time
The Capitals play the Hurricanes at 7 p.m. ET Wednesday at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Where to watch Capitals vs. Hurricanes game
The game is being aired by TNT and truTV.
How to stream Capitals vs. Hurricanes game
The game can be streamed on Max and Sling.
Capitals vs. Hurricanes date, start time, where to watch
Game Day: Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Game Time: 7 p.m. ET
Location: Lenovo Center (Raleigh, North Carolina)
TV Channel: TBS, truTV
Live Stream: Sling TV – Watch Now!
How many games do Capitals have left?
After this game, the Capitals have seven games left in the regular season.
Alex Ovechkin linemates
Coach Spencer Carbery told reporters the lineup will the same except for Logan Thompson going in net. Ovechkin will skate with Pierre-Luc Dubois and Tom Wilson. Newcomer Ryan Leonard will skate with Dylan Strome and Aliaksei Protas.
OviCast on truTV
TNT Sports is producing an alternative telecast – The OviCast – featuring an isolated camera on Ovechkin for the duration of Wednesday’s game. It will air on truTV and Max. The OviCast will display Ovechkin’s live stats, his historical numbers and on-ice audio from the NHL on TNT broadcast. The OviCast also will be used in Sunday’s game.
Alex Ovechkin goal Tuesday moves him up lists
Ovechkin’s goal Tuesday vs. the Bruins moved him atop two all-time lists: He overtook Gordie Howe (415) for the most goals after age 30 in NHL. He also passed Phil Esposito (240) and tied Gretzky (241) for most first-period goals.
Alex Ovechkin goals at Hurricanes arena
Ovechkin has scored 31 times at Lenovo Center.
Alex Ovechkin goals vs. Hurricanes
Ovechkin has 51 goals in 91 career regular-season games against the Hurricanes, including one in an earlier meeting this season.
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations. If you make a purchase through our links, we may earn a commission.