Capitals roll to a 5-1 preseason win over Philadelphia at Hershey’s Giant Center, signaling strength up and down the lineup. Milano scored twice, boosting his bid to rejoin the NHL squad, while Cristall and Miroshnichenko opened and pressured for more. Lapierre piled up three assists, underscoring his growing playmaking touch. McMichael added a shorthanded tally, and Stevenson held the crease with 15 saves as Washington’s depth shined in a key window before the season.

The night also highlighted the Capitals’ Hershey pipeline and Spencer Carbery’s homecoming, with Matt Strome contributing for the Bears and the Strome family name woven into the storyline. Depth, speed and a promising rookie cohort stood out as October approaches, giving the Caps confidence in their readiness for the regular season.

The Washington Capitals are gearing up for the 2024-25 season with hopes of leveraging the experience gained by their younger players to reclaim the Stanley Cup during the Alex Ovechkin era. After a disappointing exit in the playoffs against the Carolina Hurricanes, the team is assessing its roster for potential trades and retaining key players.

Ovechkin, who remains a formidable presence despite his age and recent injuries, is expected to stay on the team due to his no-movement clause and record-setting aspirations. Tom Wilson, Dylan Strome, and Aliaksei Protas are also likely to remain as the Capitals look to solidify a core that can transition smoothly post-Ovechkin. The team’s top prospect, Ryan Leonard, adds to the optimism as he continues to develop. With a mix of veterans and emerging talent, the Capitals aim to refine their strategy and bolster their chances for a successful season.

The Washington Capitals faced a disappointing 5-2 defeat against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 4, putting them on the brink of elimination with a 3-1 series deficit. Despite the loss, Alex Ovechkin scored his 77th career playoff goal, surpassing Mario Lemieux for 12th place on the all-time playoff goals list. This milestone came late in the game during a 5-on-3 power play, where Dylan Strome assisted Ovechkin's iconic shot from his usual spot in the left circle. Unfortunately for the Capitals, the Hurricanes quickly retaliated, with Sean Walker scoring shortly after Ovechkin's goal, and Andrei Svechnikov sealing the win with an empty-netter.