The Washington Capitals picked up a 4-1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night, but it came with some black-and-blues in Raleigh, North Carolina. The game was marred by a physical first-period brawl that disrupted the momentum of the game.
The Capitals’ 4-1 win was fueled by Jakob Chychrun’s milestone 100th career goal and Alex Ovechkin’s empty-netter. However, the celebration was overshadowed by a chaotic incident involving Capitals center Nic Dowd and Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen. Dowd’s aggressive check behind the net led to Andersen going down, which sparked a fight between the teams. The confrontation escalated into multiple scrums across the ice, leaving officials to intervene and issue 18 minutes of penalties in the first period. A total of 22 penalty minutes were assessed during that period, highlighting the intensity of the clash.
As the game settled down, the Capitals continued their strong performance with Dylan Strome scoring his fifth goal of the season to give Washington a 2-0 lead. The Hurricanes managed to respond with a goal by Nikolaj Ehlers, but it was the only time they could match the Capitals’ momentum. Chychrun’s milestone goal came in the third period, followed by Ovechkin’s empty-netter, sealing the Capitals’ victory.
Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery praised the team’s performance, stating, “It was a pretty well-rounded game. I thought the first period was excellent, the way you need to start in this building. As challenging as it is, you need to get out on your front foot.” This sentiment highlights the Capitals’ determination and resilience, even after the initial physical altercation.
The game also saw a pivotal moment when Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal ran into Andersen, leading to Andersen being replaced in the third period. Capitals goalie Logan Thompson made 30 of the 31 saves he faced, ensuring a solid defensive effort for the Capitals. With the win, Washington improved to 8-7-1, while Carolina’s four-game winning streak came to an end.
Although the game was dominated by the Capitals’ offensive output, the physicality and controversy of the first period underscored the competitive intensity of the matchup. The incident served as a reminder of the sometimes volatile nature of NHL games, where moments of aggression can shift the dynamics of a contest drastically.