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The Washington Capitals earned a dominating victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night, 4-1, thanks to Jakob Chychrun’s 100th career goal and an empty net from Alex Ovechkin.
But Washington had to fight to achieve it.
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Frederik Andersen #31 of the Carolina Hurricanes goes after Nic Dowd #26 of the Washington Capitals after a collision during the first period at Lenovo Center on November 11, 2025 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Josh Lavallée/NHLI via Getty Images)
A fight broke out between the teams five minutes from the end of the first period. Capitals center Nic Dowd went through Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen behind the net. Andersen fell and Hurricanes players came after Dowd to respond.
The incident sparked several melee on the ice. Once the match was under control, 18 minutes of penalties were given. There were 22 penalty minutes awarded in the entire first period.
The game then calmed down. Dylan Strome scored his fifth goal of the season to give Washington a 2-0 lead. The Hurricanes got one back thanks to a Nikolaj Ehlers score, but that would be the only time the horn sounded for Carolina in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) stands next to an official after receiving a roughing penalty during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals in Raleigh, North Carolina, Tuesday, November 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)
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Chychrun’s highlight score came in the third period and Ovechkin followed afterward.
“It was a pretty complete game,” Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery said after the game, via NHL.com. “I thought the first period was excellent, the way you have to start in this building. Even though it’s a challenge, you have to start on the right foot.”
Andersen was chased off the pipes with about five minutes left in the third after teammate Jordan Staal ran into him.
Washington Capitals goalie Logan Thompson (48) watches the puck against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, North Carolina, Tuesday, November 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)
Alex Ovechkin (8) of the Washington Capitals watches the puck against the Carolina Hurricanes during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, North Carolina, Tuesday, November 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)
Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson stopped 30 of the 31 shots he faced in the game.
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Washington improved to 8-7-1 with the win and Carolina fell to 11-5 and their four-game winning streak was snapped.
