The Washington Capitals hosted the surging San Jose Sharks at Capital One Arena on Thursday night. The Caps came into the game looking to string two wins together for the first time since they last played the Sharks on December 3.
Dylan Strome benefited from a good bounce on the power play to put the Capitals up 1-0 in the second period. Hoo-boy, did things go poorly from there. Zack Ostapchuk, Collin Graf, and Pavol Regenda all scored within a three-minute stretch to put the Sharks up by two goals. A dazzling individual effort from Ryan Leonard brought the Caps back within one.
Sharks beat Capitals 3-2.
- The Capitals weren’t “bad” in the first period, but they certainly weren’t good either. They managed just five shots on goal against one of the worst defensive teams in the league and played the back half of the period at what felt like a leisurely pace. You can do that when you’re up four goals in a game. You should not do that when the game is scoreless.
- It is wild how awful the Sharks would be without Macklin Celebrini. In my opinion, if they somehow make the playoffs, he should totally win the Hart Trophy as league MVP. Without him, they’re picking first overall again this summer.
- Vincent Iorio made a few really strong defensive plays early on in tonight’s game. Happy to see him still getting a chance with the Sharks. Hopefully, he can find a long-term home there.
- That second period might be the worst the Capitals have looked since Spencer Carbery took over. I understand there are really important guys out injured right now, but what is the excuse for the level of urgency this team has shown lately? They had nine total shots on goal after 40 minutes. In the second, the Sharks finished up 25-7 in shot attempts, 12-4 in shots, 12-3 in scoring chances, and 5-1 in high-danger chances.
- A lot of these recent problems are not so “recent” anymore, as this has gone on for what feels like two months at this point. You know a good way to spark urgency and care within a roster? Make sure A LOT of the roster knows that their spots on the club are not permanent. I don’t just mean just looking to make trades there, either, as the Hershey Bears have more than a few young faces I’m sure would love to play in the NHL.
- Speaking of which, Ilya Protas was named to the 2026 AHL All-Star Game earlier this afternoon. Maybe it’s time to stop “overcooking” him in Hershey and see if he can help with whatever mess the Capitals’ current center depth is.
- The power play scored a goal, but it was due to sheer luck and had nothing to do with the overall strategy or setup. Still looked awful otherwise.
- The push from the Capitals in the third was good again, but the whole playing one period every game is unacceptable. I’m not exactly saying anything there that you all don’t know, though.
- Tremendous goal from Ryan Leonard, giving him 10 on the season. I can’t wait until he has a more regular center in this team’s top six.
- You can’t tell me that someone like Ivan Miroshnichenko or Andrew Cristall wouldn’t be a better option right now to play the third-line and second-unit power-play ice time that Brett Leason has the past two games. Leason was literally not on this team until like Halloween. What are we doing here, chat?
The Capitals will next host the Florida Panthers on Saturday night before heading out on a long, six-game road trip.
