Washington Capitals: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Capitals are as well-rounded a team as expected

While it’s still early, the Washington Capitals are looking like a true postseason contender. Heading into the 2026-27 season, there were expectations that the Capitals would be able to compete after taking a step back last season.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Alex Ovechkin Reveals Lone Reason Why He Didn't Retire Last Summer

Alex Ovechkin will retire from the NHL after the 2026-27 season, ending a 22-year career with the Washington Capitals after one final attempt to win another Stanley Cup.

Washington Capitals News / Stars And Sticks / October 8

Caps beat Pens in Ovi's last DC Home Opener

Alex Ovechkin’s last Capitals home opener at Capital One Center was last night. Against Sidney Crosby and the Penguins to boot! The Caps won 5-3 as Tom Wilson scored 3 points, Ryan Leonard scored for the second time this season, and the Caps penalty kill continued its domination.

Washington Capitals News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Most goals in NHL history' quiz

How many of the 22 players in NHL history with at least 600 career goals can you name in five minutes?

The 'Conn Smythe Trophy winners' quiz

The '2026-27 NHL captains' quiz

The ''EA NHL,'' covers since 2000' quiz

NHL News / Stars And Sticks / October 8

Penguins vs Capitals Game Preview

The Capitals are playing their first game since their 1st loss against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Tonight is the Capitals' home opener, and they welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins, who are coming off a 3-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets.

NHL News / Yardbarker

The best and worst NHL free agency deals since 2000

The NHL has had an interesting new millennium. It was a league sans a salary cap when the 2000s started… and then the owners locked the players out for an entire season.

Washington Capitals News / ESPN / October 8

Ovechkin's final home opener in D.C. a 'cool' family affair

On the occasion of his final NHL home opener, Alex Ovechkin described it as "pretty cool" when Ilya and Sergei Ovechkin were given the microphone to announce their father in player introductions Wednesday.

Tom Wilson News / Field Level Media / October 7

Tom Wilson produces 3 points as Capitals get past Penguins

Tom Wilson had a goal and two assists to lead the host Washington Capitals to a 5-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday. It was the 76th regular-season meeting and 101st overall matchup of all-time goal leader Alex Ovechkin, 41, who announced on Monday this would be his final season, and Sidney Crosby, 39.

NHL News / Yardbarker / October 8

Father Time rears its ugly head in Alex Ovechkin vs. Sidney Crosby rivalry

It is a harsh reminder that only Father Time is undefeated in sports. He comes for everybody eventually, no matter how great that player is, and he is unforgiving when he does.

Gavin McKenna sums up his first NHL goal with a great quote

Kyle Connor's two goals keep Jets rolling at expense of Avalanche

Jets' Josh Morrissey leaves game with upper-body injury

Islanders' Alexander Romanov to miss six to eight months with torn ACL

The 10 NHL players paid closest to their on-ice values in 2026-27

Washington Capitals News / NHL on ClutchPoints / October 7

Wayne Gretzky reveals how he really feels about Capitals star Alex Ovechkin’s retirement announcement being way different than his

The Washington Capitals are set for their home opener on Wednesday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins. It will be the last home opener for Alex Ovechkin.

Washington Capitals News / Stadium Rant / October 7

Alex Ovechkin Final Season: What To Expect From The Great Eight

Alex Ovechkin announced on Monday that this will be his last NHL season. Ovechkin is entering his 22nd season, and his career will come to a close at the end of it.

NHL News / Field Level Media / October 6

In final home opener, Caps' Alex Ovechkin faces Sidney Crosby, Pens

In the final home opener of Alex Ovechkin's NHL career Wednesday, it's only fitting that he and the Washington Capitals will face fellow legend Sidney Crosby and the rival Pittsburgh Penguins.

NHL News / Yardbarker

The defining figure for every NHL franchise

People will talk about the “Mount Rushmore” for a franchise, which is to say the four people, usually four players, that most define the franchise. Not always the four-best players, but the four that evoke the essence of the franchise.

Alexander Ovechkin News / ESPN / October 6

A 90.3% increase? Alex Ovechkin's retirement announcement sparks major ticket price hike

Ever since the NHL's all-time goals leader announced his retirement, ticket prices to Capitals games have been soaring -- and not just for home games.

Washington Capitals News / DC Sports King / October 6

5 Biggest Takeaways Learned from the Capitals Opening Weekend Split

The Washington Capitals were handed no favors from the schedule makers to kick off the 2026-27 NHL season. Starting the year with a back-to-back road trip against the defending Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes and the perennial heavyweight Tampa Bay Lightning is a massive early test.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'Last 2-rushing-TD duos by team' quiz

The 'Most TD's through four games' quiz

The 'NFL RB TD-catch leaders' quiz

The 'Most HRs by an MLB first baseman' quiz

Washington Capitals News / The Hockey Writers / October 5

Alex Ovechkin Confirms 2026-27 Will Be His Final NHL Season

Alexander Ovechkin, the greatest goalscorer in the history of the National Hockey League, and one of the greatest players the league has ever seen, has announced that he will be retiring following the conclusion of the 2026-27 NHL season.

Washington Capitals News / Yardbarker / October 5

Alex Ovechkin announces retirement but leaves himself one major loophole

Ovechkin finally answered the question everyone around the Washington Capitals has been asking. Sort of.

Leo Carlsson is playing well under contract pressure

Kyle Connor is propping up Connor Hellebuyck-less Jets

Are the Panthers a playoff lock without Aleksander Barkov?

Lightning’s Emil Lilleberg to miss time following injury from fight

Stars cruise to shutout against Sharks for first win of season

Alexander Ovechkin News / Trade Talk Sports / October 5

Alex Ovechkin Makes It Official: 2026-27 Will Be His Final NHL Season

It took Alex Ovechkin a long time to decide whether or not he’d return for a 22nd NHL season in 2026-27, though that won’t be the case when it comes to him playing again in 2027-28.

Alexander Ovechkin News / Larry Brown Sports / October 5

Alex Ovechkin makes major announcement about his NHL future

Washington Capitals legend Alex Ovechkin is in his 22nd NHL season, and it turns out this will be his final chapter in a storied career. On Monday, a video surfaced of Ovechkin speaking to his teammates and saying that he will retire following the 2026-27 NHL season.

Matt Roy News / Pro Hockey Rumors / October 4

Capitals To Evaluate Matt Roy For Injury

The Washington Capitals will need to assess an injury when they return from a two-game road trip to start the season. Defenseman Matt Roy did not appear in the final 25 minutes of Friday night’s loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning due to a lower-body injury.

Matt Roy News / Daily Faceoff / October 3

Capitals’ Matt Roy leaves game with lower-body injury

A tough break for a veteran rearguard. During his team’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday night, Washington Capitals defenseman Matt Roy left the game after suffering a lower-body injury.

Alex Tuch News / Yardbarker / October 1

Washington Capitals have new weapon in Alex Tuch

For the fourth time in his career, Alex Tuch is starting with a new NHL team—and the Washington Capitals have another weapon in their arsenal.

Penguins captain Sidney Crosby breaks Steve Yzerman's NHL record

Former NHLer Ryan Spooner announces retirement

The 'Most NHL goals all-time' quiz

Washington Capitals News / Inside The Rink / September 27

Washington Capitals Place Four on Waivers

The Washington Capitals today placed four players on waivers with the purpose of assigning them to Hershey in the AHL. The Capitals picked up a 5-1 win last night to complete their preseason schedule.

Washington Capitals News / The Hockey Writers / September 23

Washington Capitals Rework the Power Play Ahead of the 2026-27 Season

With just two preseason games left before the 2026-27 NHL campaign kicks off, the Washington Capitals are firing on all cylinders. A handful of items need to be addressed and fine-tuned before their first game on Oct.

Jordan Kyrou News / Pro Hockey Rumors / September 20

Jordan Kyrou Could Be Key In Capitals Offense

Few teams have managed an offseason as productive as the Washington Capitals’ latest summer. After missing the postseason by just four points, Washington leaned all-in over the summer, bringing in more than $24MM in new additions through free agency and trades.

Washington Capitals News / The Hockey Writers / September 20

3 Capitals Breakout Candidates for 2026-27

The Washington Capitals enter the 2026-27 campaign expecting to return to the postseason party behind a talented group including Alex Ovechkin, Tom Wilson, Alex Tuch, Jordan Kyrou, and Jakob Chychrun.