The Washington Capitals are in the win column during the 2026 NHL preseason after securing a 5-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday night. The Caps secured the win playing inside Hershey, Pennsylvania’s Giant Center, the home arena of their AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears.
After going down 1-0 early in the first period, the Capitals responded when Aliaksei Protas got a touch on a shot from Dylan Strome. Washington then got a snipe from Ryan Leonard to go in front, a 2-on-1 tally from Strome, and two unanswered markers from Jonny Brodzinski to seal the win.
Goals
Aliaksei Protas goal (via @capitals/X)
Ryan Leonard goal (via @capitals/X)
Dylan Strome goal (via @capitals/X)
Jonny Brodzinski goal #1 (via @capitals/X)
Jonny Brodzinski goal #2 (via @capitals/X)
Observations
- Jonny Brodzinski is easily the standout Capitals player from the first two preseason games, potting three goals across his two appearances. Under the new CBA, he can’t play in another exhibition game this fall, but he’s clearly left a great impression on the club’s staff ahead of some important lineup decisions. His positional versatility and ability to kill penalties could legitimately land him on Washington’s Opening Night roster.
- Charlie Lindgren and Clay Stevenson split the minutes in net down the middle. Lindgren allowed both of Philadelphia’s goals, stopping 14 of the 16 shots he faced. Stevenson only saw six shots from the Flyers and stopped all of them.
- I thought one of the quietly most impressive players for the Capitals was defenseman Ryan Chesley. He looked super mobile and smart with the puck. He is right-handed, so he should quickly be taking over one of the depth roles on defense currently occupied by Dylan McIlrath and Justin Holl.
- Good to see two of the team’s top offensive players, Dylan Strome and Ryan Leonard, leave their marks on the game. They need to be firing early and often. Washington’s deep forward corps needs to be their strength this season, so these early signs are good.
- The power play is now 1-for-11 to start the preseason, and the lone goal came on tonight’s extended five-on-three advantage. I’m telling myself it’s far too early to care about the results, but I hope the man advantage stays a primary focus for the rest of camp.
- Andrew Cristall probably ended his preseason early with that leaping cross-check to the face of Hunter McDonald. I like the idea there from Cristall, sticking up for Leonard, but not so much the execution. I imagine we see Cristall handed a one- or two-game suspension.
