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As disappointing as it was to lose in regulation time for the first time since the calendar flipped to 2025, the Washington Capitals are not fretting as they continue their road trip Tuesday against the Calgary Flames.
The East-leading Capitals arrive in Calgary after a 2-1 loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday, which snapped a six-game winning streak.
It was a loss, but hardly one to hang their heads over.
"We played well enough to win," forward Dylan Strome said. "One of those games and we've just got to move on."
The defeat snapped a 12-game run of earning at least one point (9-0-3), the league's longest point streak this season. It came despite Washington outshooting the Canucks 33-25 and controlling the final two periods, only to be denied by a standout performance by Vancouver goaltender Kevin Lankinen.
That said, Capitals coach Spencer Carbery believes the loss reinforced an element key to his team's success.
"When you're playing against a goaltender like that, you're going to have to work your way to the inside for screens, tips," Carbery said. "It was one of those games where we didn't do a good enough job getting to the inside, and they did on two plays, and that's the difference."
On Monday, the Capitals announced that goaltender Logan Thompson, who hails from Calgary, signed a six-year contract extension worth $35.1 million.
"Logan has demonstrated that he is one of the top goaltenders in the NHL this season and since he joined the league," general manager Chris Patrick said via statement. "With his size and exceptional athleticism, we are confident that this signing will enhance one of the most critical positions on our team, especially as he enters the prime years of his career."
The Capitals could turn back to Thompson (22-2-3, 2.09 goals-against average) in his hometown after Charlie Lindgren started the past two games.
The Flames are back in action on the heels of a 5-2 road loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday, which snapped a three-game winning streak.
Winnipeg, which sits atop the Western Conference, led the contest 2-1 heading into the final minute of the second period, and pulled away from the Flames thanks to a late tally in the middle frame and a pair of third-period power-play goals.
"I don't think it was as bad as what the score said," Flames defenseman MacKenzie Weegar said. "Obviously there were some breakdowns at key moments. The one with a minute left in the second period was tough, and then the penalty kill was a bit of a dagger in the third period, but five-on-five, I thought we played a patient game."
With consecutive games against the league's top two clubs, the Flames certainly have a chance to see how they stack up. The Winnipeg clash provided a good lesson.
"When we made a few mistakes they were able to capitalize," coach Ryan Huska said. "For our team, I thought our effort was where it needed to be, and there were stretches of the game where I thought we did a lot of good things. We just weren't able to keep them out of our net when we needed to."
Calgary will play seven of the next eight games at home, and the Flames -- who sit in the Western Conference's second wild-card spot -- believe this is a golden chance to solidify their position.
"Our team, it's got a lot of character, and we've had that identity all year where we work hard, we work hard for each other no matter what the score is," Weegar said.
More must-reads:
- Longtime Penguins superstar Evgeni Malkin receives high praise from GM
- Mets' playoff chances in jeopardy after latest tough loss
- The 'MLB franchise home run leaders' quiz
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Three best fits for Winnipeg Jets' Kyle Connor if he hits free agency in 2026
The Winnipeg Jets have done an excellent job of locking up their top talent to long-term extensions over the years. Superstar goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, star center Mark Scheifele and defenseman Josh Morrissey have all recently extended their stays in Winnipeg, keeping their core intact. However, one key member of that nucleus, Kyle Connor, is entering the final year of his contract and doesn't appear to be in any rush to re-sign with the Jets, according to insider Frank Seravalli. The 28-year-old is set to play out the final season of his seven-year, $50 million deal signed back in 2019. Connor will surely receive a substantial pay raise on his next contract. Given that his camp wants to evaluate their options, let's examine three teams that would be the best fits to pry the two-time All-Star out of Winnipeg next summer. Detroit Red Wings A team that's already been linked to Connor, and for good reason, is the Red Wings. The Shelby Township, Michigan, native would likely be interested in a potential homecoming, and it makes sense for both sides. Detroit is looking to put an end to a lengthy nine-year playoff drought, and the addition of one of the game's best wingers would certainly help the cause. The Red Wings have their core of center Dylan Larkin, wingers Lucas Raymond and Alex DeBrincat and defenseman Moritz Seider locked in, with some top prospects soon to join the big club. The time to strike is now. They are poised to have over $44 million in cap space next offseason, per PuckPedia, allowing them to throw a massive offer that could be hard for Connor to resist. Washington Capitals Another great fit for Connor would be the Capitals. Washington came down to the wire in the Nikolaj Ehlers sweepstakes this summer but was narrowly edged out by the Carolina Hurricanes. Given their strong interest in Ehlers, there's a good chance Caps general manager Chris Patrick would push even harder for a player of the caliber of Connor. Placing a seven-time 30-goal scorer on the reigning top seed in the Eastern Conference could be dangerous for the rest of the league. They are set up well to compete against anyone in a bidding war, with $36.5 million in projected cap space following the 2025-26 season, according to PuckPedia. Columbus Blue Jackets Lastly, how about the Blue Jackets? Not many teams' futures look brighter than Columbus's, and it sounds like general manager Don Waddell wants to be active in aiding them along. The Blue Jackets almost landed star defenseman Noah Dobson via trade before the 2025 draft, demonstrating their newfound aggressive approach as their young core continues to show improvements. While they appear to be on the rise, it remains evident that they're lacking a true star up front, a problem that Connor could solve. Currently slated to have over $46 million in available cap space, via PuckPedia, money will not be an issue for Columbus in its pursuit of Connor.
5 unexpected Commanders who shocked everyone at training camp
Training camp is officially winding down for the Washington Commanders, but the hard work is just getting started. Dan Quinn and his accomplished staff are trying to ready their players for some testing challenges ahead. The lingering cloud of Terry McLaurin's contract standoff remains, but there have been some pleasant surprises along the way that represent reasons for encouragement. It has not all been smooth sailing. Washington's lackluster showing in the team's preseason opener against the New England Patriots left a sour taste in Quinn's mouth. The respected coach felt like the standards weren't being met, and he let everyone know about it. And it's better to work out the kinks now rather than during the regular season. Adam Peters and Quinn will have a good indication of what the roster could look like in Week 1. There is still time to alter perceptions for those fighting for their future. But for others who've left a surprisingly good impression, all signs are pointing up. With this in mind, here are five unexpected Commanders players who shocked everyone (for differing reasons) at Washington's training camp this summer. Unexpected Commanders players who shocked everyone at training camp Trey Amos - Commanders CB The Washington Commanders felt like they had a steal on their hands when cornerback Trey Amos was available at No. 61 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. Adam Peters considered taking the physically imposing defensive back with the No. 29 pick, but went with offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. instead. As luck would have it, the Ole Miss product was still available late in the second. Peters didn't hesitate. And looking at the way Amos has applied himself since joining the Commanders, it's not hard to see why. Dan Quinn and his staff make their rookies earn everything. Whether they are highly touted recruits or undrafted free agents starting from the bottom, everyone gets treated the same. They challenged Amos immediately, giving the player all he could handle. To say it received a positive response would be a huge understatement. Amos has thrived. The Commanders quickly placed him as the starting boundary option opposite Marshon Lattimore in the secondary, and he seized the opportunity with his customary determination. He's not displaying rookie frailties in coverage. He's also more than willing to help against the run, which cannot be said of most cornerbacks who turned out for Joe Whitt Jr.'s defense last season. There was cautious optimism around Amos heading into camp. Now, expectations have gone through the roof. Jacory Croskey-Merritt - Commanders RB There were several feel-good stories to emerge within the Washington Commanders this summer. Arguably, none were more heart-warming than Jacory Croskey-Merritt. The running back waited a long time before the Commanders came calling at No. 245 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. There's no doubt Croskey-Merritt would have gone much higher, but having his eligibility revoked by the NCAA represented a devastating blow. It was a put-up or shut-up moment for Croskey-Merritt. The player stayed focused and around Arizona's facility to help his teammates. This endeared him to the Commanders during their comprehensive pre-draft assessments, and he's making the most of his big opportunity. Croskey-Merritt is running with the purpose and aggression that saw him take college football by storm. It immediately ruffled some feathers in the running back room, especially considering Kliff Kingsbury began working the rookie into his first-team offense as camp progressed. That is a huge positive for Croskey-Merritt. He's not going to get complacent, but it's hard to ignore the momentum building. Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler seem entrenched as the team's starting tandem currently. However, the first-year pro has a shot to become RB3 if the same trend continues over the next fortnight. In this scenario, don't be surprised if Croskey-Merritt features on the offensive rotation sooner than anticipated. Jeremy Reaves - Commanders S The Commanders have always thought a great deal of Jeremy Reaves. He's a respected figure in the locker room and an All-Pro performer on special teams. His energy is infectious, and he's adept at bringing everyone together through the good times and bad. At the same time, Reaves was seen as something of a one-trick pony. The Commanders benefited greatly from his special-teams production, but even the new regime was reluctant to give him opportunities on the defensive rotation. That trend was expected to continue in 2025, but that might not be the case this time around. Joe Whitt Jr. outlined his intent to get Reaves more involved on defense. The coordinator believes that his playmaking ability and instinctive style can be a major asset. He was a man of his word, and the veteran safety is responding positively. Reaves has shone throughout camp. His ferociousness and composure in equal measure have been a breath of fresh air. He's thriving in three-safety sets next to Quan Martin and Will Harris. This is the confidence boost he needed, so expect to see Whitt implement the schematic concept when the situation dictates. Nobody deserves this more than Reaves. Hopefully, this can be the start of bigger things to come. Noah Igbinoghene - Commanders CB Noah Igbinoghene became something of a forgotten figure in the Washington Commanders' cornerback room this offseason. Two new arrivals with starting credentials, coupled with the return to health of Marshon Lattimore and the ongoing ascension of Mike Sainristil, saw him buried down the depth chart as an afterthought. A big response was needed. Igbinoghene deservedly got a new one-year deal before free agency. He might not ever reach the heights expected as a first-round pick, but his production last season represented a big step in the right direction. The former Auburn standout has put some newly acquired momentum to good use this summer. Not many fans were expecting much from Igbinoghene. However, he's proving his worth not only as a depth piece, but also as someone who can be trusted to log starting reps if needed when the 2025 campaign arrives. Lattimore, Sainristil, and second-round rookie Trey Amos are cemented as the starting cornerback trio. The Commanders will need more if they want to counteract some imposing passing attacks on the schedule, and Igbinoghene is displaying the strides expected. Things looked bleak for Igbinoghene once upon a time this offseason. After improving his consistency and showing the correct resolve in the face of adversity, that's not the case anymore. Ja'Corey Brooks - Commanders WR The Commanders' wide receiver dynamic has been under a cloud throughout the summer. Terry McLaurin is embroiled in a contract battle, with neither side willing to budge. And there are growing concerns that Washington might not have sufficient depth to cope without the second-team All-Pro. Several established veterans are coming in for criticism. However, the reports remain glowing around undrafted rookie Ja'Corey Brooks as he looks for a shocking spot on the 53-man roster. Brooks was a high-priority target for the Commanders once the 2025 NFL Draft concluded. A subpar 40-yard dash time saw his stock slide enough to not hear his name called, but it was evident from early on this offseason that the wideout plays a lot faster. It's not been perfect, but nobody expected it to be. Overall, everyone associated with the Commanders has been pleasantly surprised by Brooks' production and future outlook. He also took this through into a typical game-day setting, bringing in all five of his targets in Washington's preseason opener versus the New England Patriots. Momentum is building around Brooks. At the same time, the Commanders are leaning toward veteran players as Adam Peters embarks on a win-now philosophy. This means it could legitimately still go either way for the Louisville product. More Commanders news and analysis
Green Bay Packers: Tucker Kraft Highlights Glaring Issue Amid Jordan Love’s Absence
The Green Bay Packers got to practice with the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday, with many players missing on Matt LaFleur’s side due to injuries. As such, several younger players got to see more action on the field, and while Green Bay had success here and there, the first-team offense, without Jordan Love, reportedly struggled finding its rhythm. For tight end Tucker Kraft, the issues can be attributed to “youth” and lack of experience as a whole. “Some of our youth showed a lot,” Kraft said, per Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. “When we’re out there, the importance is knowing what to do and doing it at a really fast speed at a very consistent level, so our youth showed a little bit in some instances with the injuries that we have on our depth chart.” Still, Kraft is looking forward to the “young guys” making better things happen in the next session with the Colts, whom they will also be facing in a preseason game on Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium. “You get these young guys in a situation where they might not be as confident in themselves as far as the textbook goes,” Kraft added (h/t Mike Spofford of Packers.com). “So they might not be surging off the rock, working edges, angles in the route game to the best of their ability. They got another shot with these guys, so we’ll just have to see how they do in Part 2.” Injuries have piled up for the Green Bay Packers amid NFL preseason Apart from Love, who went under the knife to repair what appears to be a minor finger issue, the Packers are also dealing with injuries to Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Xavier McKinney, Christian Watson and Dontayvion Wicks. The hope is that at least most of them will be ready to give it a go when the Packers kick off their 2025 NFL regular season against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field on September 7.
The Washington Commanders are preparing for the worst after checking in with free agents at an important position
You can never have too many upgrades on a football roster, and the Washington Commanders are keeping their options open with a couple of free agents who could boost at a certain position. The top priority of the team is to protect the franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels, and that comes from bolstering the offensive line. Recent workouts show that the Commanders are prepared to sign the top offensive tackles available if they need to. Commanders have a mutual interest with two free agents The Commanders hosted two standout free agents that could signal how they feel about the depth at offensive tackle. They brought in veteran offensive tackles George Fant and Cam Fleming for visits, but may not be done yet. Neither player ended up signing with the Commanders, but it's been reported that the team will remain in contact with Fant and Fleming. The left side of the line has had an interesting offseason so far, and the Commanders are ready for worst-case scenarios. Laremy Tunsil was one of the biggest moves for the Commanders' offseason, but he recently had a minor injury, but nothing to be concerned about. Still, though, one injury can make the line fall apart, and they need depth at tackle. The Commanders had Nate Herbig randomly retire during training camp, which led to the team signing Lucas Niang as the corresponding move. Niang tore his ACL in the first preseason game, and he's likely out for the season. They still have some pieces they can move around, but it seems like they'd rather bring in a bigger name. Fant was with the Seattle Seahawks last season, but only played in 30 snaps. Previous to that, he logged 962 snaps at right tackle and 42 at left tackle as a starter for the Houston Texans. He's 33 years old and can provide a ton of experience with almost 5,000 career snaps on both sides of the line. The team is also keeping in contact with Cam Fleming, who has over 4,300 snaps on both sides as well. Adam Peters clearly values experience and doesn't want to just roll out somebody who hasn't proven themselves in the league to protect Daniels, and you have to respect that. Both Fant and Fleming are right at 33 years old, and they obviously wouldn't be long-term pieces, but smart moves for protecting the depth of the line. They can also move Andrew Wylie and Trent Scott over in an emergency. There's no telling if rookie Josh Conerly Jr. will start Week 1, but the team is prepared for everything possible.
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