The Washington Capitals ended the Carolina Hurricanes' four-game winning streak with a decisive 4-1 win on Tuesday night. It was the first matchup between the two teams in the 2025–26 NHL season.
Carolina entered the game hoping for its fifth straight victory, while Washington aimed to halt its recent struggles. After a sharp start and strong control of play, the Capitals sealed the win by the final buzzer.
For most of the opening period, Washington dictated the pace, pressuring Carolina into turnovers and rushed decisions in the neutral zone. The visiting side moved the puck efficiently and created chances through their transition play.
Brandon Duhaime opened the scoring, converting a feed from Ethan Frank near the crease to make it 1-0. His quick tap-in slipped past goaltender Frederik Andersen.
“It was a great pass from Frank, and Duhaime finished perfectly to put the Caps ahead.”
Tension escalated late in the first period when Nic Dowd collided with Andersen. The hit drew an immediate reaction from the Hurricanes bench. Sean Walker stepped up first, but soon after, Andersen confronted Dowd himself, igniting a brawl. Logan Stankoven dropped the gloves with Martin Fehérváry and came out on top in the scuffle.
Each team found the back of the net once in the middle frame. Dylan Strome struck for Washington, scoring his fifth goal of the season after taking a lead pass from Alexander Ovechkin and breaking through Carolina’s defense.
This was the first of three scheduled meetings between the teams this season. Both sides now turn focus to their upcoming matchups as the Capitals aim to build on this hard-fought road victory.
Author’s summary: Washington snapped Carolina’s winning streak with a confident 4-1 road win, showcasing disciplined defense and strong transition play throughout the night.