The Washington Capitals wrapped up their season earlier than hoped on Tuesday with a 2-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. After inconsistent play and injuries to key players, the Capitals missed the playoffs for the first time under head coach Spencer Carbery. Meanwhile, Alex Ovechkin, at age 40, may have played his final season in the NHL.
On Thursday, the team hosted Breakdown Day interviews at MedStar Capitals Iceplex. Later in the afternoon, players hit the town with their captain, perhaps for the final time, to commemorate their hard work and dedication over the seven-month season and hang out before splitting up for the summer.
Around 6:00 to 6:30 pm, Capitals fans and local realtors, Morgan Samson and Colby Smythe, spotted the players at Tysons. The pair took a photo with Ovechkin and a group shot with Trevor van Riemsdyk, Charlie Lindgren, Anthony Beauvillier, Tom Wilson, Rasmus Sandin (with his knee brace), and Aliaksei Protas.
“Colby and I were at Starr Hill Brewery and ran into the Caps players, who were there celebrating,” Morgan told RMNB. “They were on their way out on a party bus.”
Morgan added that the players had a private section inside the establishment.
“We were excited to see them,” Morgan added. “We were the only ones on the sidewalk, and I yelled, ‘Can we get a picture?’ Tom Wilson was like ‘absolutely’ and told the team to squad up. They were so cool and nice.”
The location has been a popular spot for the Capitals players in the past, as Nicklas Backstrom held his Putts & Pucks charity event at the mini golf course and Biergarten on the 11th floor (rooftop).
If players want to bond, they need to do so as soon as possible. Some Capitals players, like Ryan Leonard, are headed to Switzerland in short order to play for their national teams at the 2026 IIHF World Championship. Others said at Breakdown Day they will only be in the area for a few more weeks before returning home to start their offseason.
