Capitals Look to Rebound Against Red-Hot Hurricanes in Tuesday Night Metropolitan Division Showdown
By Brian Hradsky | Maryland Sports Blog | October 13, 2026
The Washington Capitals return to Raleigh on Tuesday night looking to rebound from a disappointing loss to the Seattle Kraken and defeat the Carolina Hurricanes for the second time this season. Washington enters the Metropolitan Division matchup with a 3-2-0 record, while Carolina has emerged as one of the NHL’s hottest teams with a 5-1-1 start. The Hurricanes have won five consecutive games since falling to Washington earlier this month, making Tuesday’s contest an important early-season test for both clubs. The Capitals will need a more disciplined defensive performance to slow Carolina’s momentum and avoid consecutive defeats.
Washington Capitals
3-2-0
Tonight
6:45 PM ET
October 13
Carolina Hurricanes
5-1-1
Lenovo Center, Raleigh, NC
Regular season
TV: Monumental Sports Network (MNMT)
Radio: 106.7 The Fan / Capitals Radio Network
Game information confirmed by the Washington Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes.
Capitals Seeking Another Victory in Raleigh
Washington has already demonstrated its ability to defeat Carolina this season, earning a convincing 5-2 victory at Lenovo Center in its regular-season opener on October 2. That performance provided an encouraging start for a Capitals team entering the season with several new faces and significant expectations. However, the Hurricanes have responded impressively, winning five consecutive games and establishing themselves as an early contender in the Metropolitan Division. Washington must recreate the defensive structure and offensive efficiency that produced its opening-night victory if it hopes to complete another successful trip to Raleigh.
The Capitals enter Tuesday’s matchup following a frustrating 5-3 loss to Seattle on Sunday afternoon at Capital One Arena. Washington received goals from Alex Ovechkin, Jordan Kyrou and Boone Jenner but struggled with turnovers and defensive breakdowns during the closing minutes. Seattle capitalized on those mistakes, scoring twice late in the third period to secure the victory. Head coach Spencer Carbery expressed frustration with Washington’s decision-making afterward, emphasizing the importance of playing smarter hockey during critical moments.
Injuries Test Washington’s Defensive Depth
Washington faces a difficult challenge with several important players unavailable, including Pierre-Luc Dubois, Matt Roy and Rasmus Sandin. Dubois missed Sunday’s loss because of illness and did not travel with the team to Raleigh, leaving Washington without one of its most important centers. Roy remains sidelined with a lower-body injury, while Sandin has been placed on long-term injured reserve. The Capitals recalled veteran defenseman Justin Holl from the Hershey Bears on Monday to provide additional depth for their upcoming back-to-back games.
Holl brings 405 games of NHL experience and could provide valuable defensive stability if Carbery decides to insert him into the lineup. Jakob Chychrun has averaged 25:08 of ice time through Washington’s first five games, while Martin Fehervary has averaged 21:49. Those heavy workloads become increasingly concerning with the Capitals scheduled to play Carolina on Tuesday and Montreal on Wednesday. Washington must distribute defensive responsibilities effectively while maintaining the aggressive forechecking and physical play that helped it defeat Carolina earlier this month.
Ovechkin Looks to Build Momentum in Final NHL Season
Alex Ovechkin enters Tuesday’s matchup after scoring his first goal of the season against Seattle, providing an important offensive milestone in what he has announced will be his final NHL campaign. The Capitals captain has one goal and one assist through five games and remains a dangerous scoring threat despite approaching the conclusion of his remarkable career. Tuesday’s game is expected to mark Ovechkin’s final regular-season appearance in North Carolina, adding significance to an already important divisional matchup. Washington will look to create additional opportunities for its captain, particularly on the power play and during sustained offensive-zone possessions.
Tom Wilson has emerged as Washington’s early points leader with two goals and three assists through five games. Alex Tuch leads the Capitals with three goals, including two during Washington’s opening-night victory over Carolina. Ryan Leonard has also contributed two goals and two assists, demonstrating his potential to become an important offensive contributor. With Dubois unavailable, Washington will need continued production from Wilson, Tuch and Leonard while relying on Dylan Strome to help stabilize its offensive combinations.
Hurricanes Enter Riding Five-Game Winning Streak
Carolina enters Tuesday’s matchup with considerable momentum after defeating the Philadelphia Flyers 4-1 on Sunday. Sebastian Aho recorded a goal and an assist in that victory, while Andrei Svechnikov also contributed two points. Goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov stopped 18 shots to improve to 3-0-0, continuing his strong opening stretch. The Hurricanes have outscored opponents 25-11 during their five-game winning streak, demonstrating their ability to control games offensively and defensively.
Aho represents Washington’s biggest individual defensive challenge, entering the game with six goals and five assists during a six-game point streak. His speed, vision and ability to finish scoring opportunities make him especially dangerous when Carolina establishes sustained offensive pressure. Mark Jankowski has also emerged as an unexpected scoring threat, recording goals in four consecutive games. Washington must limit Carolina’s transition opportunities and prevent Aho from finding open ice between its defensive coverage.
Goaltending Could Determine the Outcome
Logan Thompson has been Washington’s primary goaltender through the opening five games, posting a 3-1-0 record with a 2.78 goals-against average and .902 save percentage. Charlie Lindgren has appeared in one game, recording a .931 save percentage despite suffering a loss. With Washington preparing for consecutive games, Carbery must decide how to distribute starts between his goaltenders. Thompson’s experience and early-season success make him an important option against Carolina, although the starting assignment had not been confirmed in the sources reviewed.
Carolina faces its own goaltending decision between Brandon Bussi and Kochetkov. Bussi struggled during Washington’s 5-2 victory on October 2, while Kochetkov has won each of his first three starts this season. The Hurricanes have alternated goaltenders during their recent games, creating uncertainty about which netminder will receive Tuesday’s assignment. Regardless of Carolina’s selection, Washington must generate traffic around the crease and capitalize on second-chance opportunities rather than relying exclusively on perimeter shots.
Three Keys to a Capitals Victory
1. Eliminate costly turnovers. Washington’s defensive mistakes against Seattle directly contributed to its defeat, particularly during the closing minutes of regulation. Carolina’s aggressive forecheck creates additional pressure on opposing defensemen and can quickly turn mistakes into scoring chances. The Capitals must make smarter decisions with the puck, support their defensemen during breakouts and avoid unnecessary passes through dangerous areas. Establishing cleaner transitions will also help Washington create the counterattacking opportunities that proved effective in its opening-night victory.
2. Contain Carolina’s top scorers. Aho enters Tuesday’s contest playing some of the best hockey in the NHL, while Svechnikov provides another dangerous offensive threat. Washington cannot allow Carolina’s skilled forwards to dictate the pace through the neutral zone or establish uncontested opportunities around the crease. Wilson and Washington’s defensive leaders must maintain physical pressure without sacrificing positioning or taking unnecessary penalties. Limiting Carolina’s top players will require coordinated defensive coverage rather than relying solely on individual matchups.
3. Generate secondary scoring. Washington received contributions from Ovechkin, Kyrou and Jenner against Seattle, but the Capitals need more consistent offensive production throughout their lineup. Tuch has already demonstrated his ability to score against Carolina, and Leonard continues to provide energy and offensive creativity. The Capitals must establish sustained offensive-zone pressure and capitalize on opportunities created by their forecheck. Contributions from multiple lines would reduce the pressure on Ovechkin and help Washington overcome the absence of Dubois.
What’s Next?
Tuesday’s game begins a challenging back-to-back stretch for Washington, which returns home Wednesday to face the Montreal Canadiens. The Montreal matchup opens a five-game homestand spanning 15 days, giving Washington an opportunity to establish momentum early in the season. However, the Capitals cannot afford to overlook Carolina, particularly with the Hurricanes playing some of the strongest hockey in the league. A victory in Raleigh would provide Washington with another important divisional win and demonstrate its ability to respond after a disappointing defeat.
MSB Take
Washington has already proven it can defeat Carolina, but Tuesday’s rematch presents a considerably more difficult challenge than the season opener. The Hurricanes have responded to their early loss by winning five consecutive games, and their offensive depth makes them dangerous throughout the lineup. The Capitals must play a disciplined, structured game and avoid the careless decisions that cost them against Seattle. If Washington attempts to exchange scoring chances with Carolina throughout the evening, the Hurricanes could take advantage of the Capitals’ depleted defensive lineup.
The biggest concern for Washington remains the absence of Dubois, Roy and Sandin against an opponent that thrives on aggressive pressure. However, the Capitals have enough offensive talent to remain competitive, particularly if Ovechkin continues building momentum and Tuch delivers another strong performance against Carolina. Thompson could also play a major role if he receives the starting assignment and provides the timely saves Washington needs. Expect a competitive divisional matchup, but the Capitals must establish defensive consistency early to prevent Carolina from controlling the pace.
MSB Prediction: Carolina Hurricanes 4, Washington Capitals 3. Washington has the offensive ability to keep this game close, but Carolina’s current momentum and the Capitals’ injury concerns give the Hurricanes a slight advantage. A disciplined performance and strong goaltending could certainly change that outcome.
Research sources: Washington Capitals official game preview; Carolina Hurricanes official game preview; NHL Gamecenter; The Washington Post — Capitals vs. Kraken recap.
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