I'm not sure we'll get a game nearly as crazy as we did on Thursday night in Raleigh. The Carolina Hurricanes trailed 4-2 with 2:00 left before scoring three unanswered goals in less than 90 seconds, making history in the process. They stunned the Mammoth to win, 5-4, behind multi-goal efforts from Andrei Svechnikov and Shayne Gostisbehere, and the game-winning goal by Jordan Staal.
After dropping their first two games of 2026, the Hurricanes are rolling into the end of the month. Tonight is their final game of January, and the first half of a back-to-back. They've won nine of their last 12 contests, outscoring their opponents by 20 goals. Frederik Andersen will likely get the crease tonight, and he has started to turn things around at the right time, too.
On the Other Side: Washington Capitals
Last meeting: The Canes ventured to Washington, D.C., on December 11. The side traded goals in the second and third periods, with Logan Stankoven striking late in regulation to force overtime. Behind more heroics from Brandon Bussi and a shootout goal by Seth Jarvis, the Canes earned a big road win over the Capitals, winning 3-2.
It has been tough sledding for the Capitals since that game in December. They've won just eight times in their last 25 contests, falling out of the Top 3 in the Metropolitan Division and below the Wild Card line. There is still plenty of time in the season, though it's looking like the teams in the Metro need to aim for a division spot, because the Atlantic Division owns the Wild Card.
Tonight could mark the final time that Alex Ovechkin faces the Carolina Hurricanes in the regular season, assuming he hangs up his skates at the end of the year. He sits tied with Tom Wilson for the team lead in goals (22) and points (46). It'll be his 96th game against the Canes, in which he has 53 goals and 110 points, including a goal and two assists in two meetings this season.
On Thursday night, I made note of the Capitals' current situation in the net. Logan Thompson was injured in Tuesday's loss to the Kraken, and Charlie Lindgren had to be helped off the ice after Washington beat Detroit in the shootout on Thursday. It'll be a situation to watch closely, with either Thompson being good to go or Clay Stevenson possibly having to step in if Lindgren is still hurt.
Capitals to Watch
Justin Sourdif: When the Capitals acquired Sourdif this offseason from the Panthers, I didn't think much of it. The 23-year-old hadn't gotten an opportunity to thrive with the team that drafted him. In Washington, he has taken off. He's in the Top 10 in scoring on the team and tied for sixth in goals. Sourdif also notched his first hat trick earlier in the month, scoring three times against the Ducks.
John Carlson: While Chychrun's goal scoring draws more headlines, Carlson is actually the Capitals' leader in defenseman scoring with 43 points. He leads the team with 34 assists, and he's on pace to score more goals than he has in the last three seasons. Carlson has 44 points in 60 meetings against the Canes, his second-highest total against a team in his career (Devils- 50 points).
Hurricanes to Watch
Jaccob Slavin: Injuries prevented Slavin from facing the Capitals either time this season, making this his first appearance against Washington since eliminating them in May. He scored the overtime winner in D.C., in Game 1 of the series, setting the tone for the series win. Not known for his scoring, Slavin has assists in two of the last three games.
Jalen Chatfield: Thursday night saw a rare defensive blunder by Chatfield, failing to get a puck deep as the Mammoth scored shortly after. He made up for it with the secondary helper on the game-winning goal to complete the comeback. After a slow offensive start, Chatfield has three assists in the last two games after collecting a pair of helpers in Ottawa last weekend.