📸: RMNB
The Washington Capitals defeated the Montreal Canadiens 8-4 on Thursday, and they’re starting to make me a believer again. Alex Ovechkin had a hat trick and is skating much better than the start of the season. The team is getting secondary scoring – what art thou is this? – and lo-and-behold, their defense and goaltending are so good, this is apparently an ingredient to win hockey games and win bigly.
I loathe feeling like a believer because you know what happens next. Excitement, expectations, and let down. But baby, my brain is ready to be hurt again!
Tonight, the Capitals take on the Tampa Bay Lightning. Logan Thompson will return to the net opposite of Jonas Johansson, while Nic Dowd will miss another game due to an upper-body injury. On the backend, the Lightning are aching as they’re going to be without both Victor Hedman and Ryan McDonagh.
TVR is playing in his 700th career game.
Capitals defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk is playing in his 700th career game tonight vs. Tampa Bay. van Riemsdyk, a 2015 Stanley Cup champion, has recorded 149 points (26g, 123a) in 699 career games with Washington, Carolina and Chicago. pic.twitter.com/lga6113DxR
— Capitals PR (@CapitalsPR) November 22, 2025
Also, it’s Hockey Fights Cancer night.
Puck drop for tonight’s game is shortly after 7:00 pm. Joe Beninati and Craig Laughlin have the call on Monumental Sports Network. See you in the comments.
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Lines
Washington Capitals
Ovechkin
Strome
Beauvillier
Duhaime
McMichael
Leonard
Tampa Bay Lightning
Goncalves
Paul
Bjorkstrand
Girgensons
Gourde
Douglas
Tunnel shenanigans
1st Period
Waiting for puck drop.
Comment below. Refresh for live updates during the game. The thread will be closed shortly after the game is completed.