The Capitals achieved a significant milestone, improving their road record to 23-8-2 and maintaining the highest winning percentage in the NHL at .727. This win capped off an impressive 12-3-1 record against Pacific Division teams. Key player Dylan Strome scored his 21st goal, supported by standout performances from Aliaksei Protas and Trevor van Riemsdyk, who marked his first goal in over two years. Stellar goaltending from Logan Thompson, who earned his 29th win, and strong contributions across the lineup highlighted the Capitals' dominance, including Alex Ovechkin's 887th career goal as he approaches Wayne Gretzky's record. Despite this success, the Capitals faced a setback with a disappointing 3-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings, ending their five-game winning streak. The match featured a goaltending showdown between former teammates Charlie Lindgren and Darcy Kuemper, with the latter earning a shutout. The Capitals struggled offensively, generating only 21 shots on goal and failing to capitalize on a late-game power play opportunity. On a brighter note, the Protas brothers are making waves in their leagues, with Aliaksei celebrating his first NHL hat trick and younger brother Ilya excelling in the OHL with a natural hat trick and impressive overall performance.

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In the latest episode of Locked On Capitals, the focus is on Pierre-Luc Dubois as he prepares to face his former team, the Los Angeles Kings, after being traded to the Washington Capitals last June. Dubois has been performing exceptionally well, recently contributing a goal and two assists in a victory over the Anaheim Ducks, bringing his season totals to 17 goals and 40 assists, on track to surpass his career-high points total. The excitement is palpable as he joins the Caps, who are leading the Eastern Conference and on a five-game winning streak. Alex Ovechkin is also making headlines, closing in on Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record, needing just nine more goals to surpass 894.

Ovechkin faced a significant injury setback earlier in the season but has shown resilience in his comeback. Despite missing 16 games, he returned to action and continued to demonstrate his key role in the team's performance. Prior to his injury, Ovechkin was leading the league with 15 goals and helping his line dominate the ice. Upon his return, he quickly added to his career goal tally, demonstrating both maturity and determination in his pursuit of greatness. The upcoming matchup against the Kings promises excitement as both teams look to capitalize on their recent successes. 

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The Washington Capitals faced off against the Anaheim Ducks in an exciting matchup, concluding their season series with a commanding 7-4 victory. Historically, the Capitals have performed well against Anaheim, boasting a strong road record, including a recent run of four consecutive wins away from home. Key players stood out during the game, particularly Aliaksei Protas, who scored his first career hat trick, alongside Alex Ovechkin, who contributed three assists and celebrated his 815th win. The Capitals dominated the shots and showcased their offensive prowess, leading the league in goals this season. Looking ahead, star forward Alex Ovechkin is closing in on Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal record, needing just nine more goals to break it. The Capitals are currently enjoying a successful season, leading the Metropolitan Division with a solid record. Meanwhile, Boston College winger Ryan Leonard has made headlines for his impressive performance this season, securing the Hockey East scoring title and earning a spot as one of the top players. Anticipation builds for Leonard's potential entry-level contract with the Capitals after the college postseason, highlighting the team's commitment to developing young talent.

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Welcome to the NHL Squad Show! Today our hosts Gil Martin (Locked On Islanders), Eddie Garcia (Locked On Kings), Tom Callahan (Locked On Utah HC) and Jess Belmosto (Locked On Flames are talking about Aaron Ekblad’s 20 game suspension for breaking thee NHL’s rules on performance enhancing drugs, the whirlwind of the trade deadline including Mikko Rantanen to Dallas and Brad Marchand to Florida, and how the Western conference wildcard race is starting to get exciting!

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Alex Ovechkin is on the verge of breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record, needing just nine goals with 18 games left in the 2024-25 NHL season. While he has one year remaining on his contract with the Capitals, Ovechkin has expressed uncertainty about his future in Washington and is considering a return to Dynamo Moscow in the KHL, where he hopes to conclude his professional career. He also envisions a potential farewell game featuring Dynamo against the Capitals, depending on global circumstances. In addition, the Capitals recently acquired forward Anthony Beauvillier during the NHL trade deadline to enhance their roster as they push for the playoffs. After his debut game, Beauvillier showcased his skills and connections with teammates, indicating he could be a valuable asset with his playoff experience. The Capitals are integrating younger, faster players like Beauvillier into their lineup, aiming for depth scoring and agility to bolster their performance in the concluding games of the season.

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Tom Wilson has had an outstanding week that earned him recognition as the NHL's Third Star of the Week. He excelled during the Capitals' four-game winning streak, scoring three goals and tallying seven points, which included three consecutive multi-point games. Wilson was pivotal in crucial matchups, contributing to comebacks against teams like the Seattle Kraken and netting his fifth career overtime goal against the New York Rangers. This week also marked a milestone for Wilson, as he surpassed Brooks Laich for seventh-most shorthanded goals in Capitals history, achieving his 11th career shorthanded goal and reaching a new personal best in single-season goals with 29. In addition, Connor McMichael has reached a significant career milestone by recording his 100th NHL point while also hitting 50 points in a season for the first time since his OHL days. His achievement somewhat coincided with Alex Ovechkin breaking the 1,600 career points mark. Despite earlier struggles, McMichael showcased impressive improvement, contributing to the Capitals' success and demonstrating a resurgence in form. Pierre-Luc Dubois has been another standout player this season, on track to surpass his previous career-highs in points and proving essential to the team's aspirations as they aim for a Stanley Cup victory in 2025. Together, these players highlight the Capitals' promising performance trajectory as the season unfolds.

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In the latest episode of Locked On Capitals, the podcast highlights the thrilling 4-2 victory against the Seattle Kraken, which not only boosts the team's morale but also marks a significant milestone as the Capitals exceed their previous season's points total, now sitting at 92. Key players like Connor McMichael and Alex Ovechkin made notable contributions, with McMichael scoring the game-winning goal and achieving his 100th career point, while Ovechkin reached 886 career goals and 1,600 career points. The episode also discusses the strong performance of goalie Charlie Lindgren and the impactful plays from Dylan Strome and Martin Fehervary, emphasizing the team’s physicality led by Tom Wilson. Additionally, the podcast delves into the impressive rise of Aliaksei Protas, who has become a key player for the Capitals this season, currently sitting second in team scoring with 55 points. His development under coach Spencer Carbery and transformation into a goal-scorer are highlighted, as he aims to break his career record with 25 goals this season. The episode concludes with exciting news from WHL prospect Andrew Cristall, who recently achieved a historical milestone by becoming the first player in the WHL to hit 400 career points in the 21st Century, further solidifying the future prospects for the Capitals.

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The Washington Capitals faced a rough stretch recently, hitting their first three-game losing streak of the season. However, they bounced back with an electrifying performance against the Detroit Red Wings, securing a 5-2 victory after trailing in the early stages of the game. Aliaksei Protas emerged as a standout player, netting a shorthanded goal and contributing three points, while Jakob Chychrun also made a significant impact with his 18th goal of the season. This win marked the team's 41st of the season, pushing them to 90 points and surpassing their total from the previous year. In addition to the game recap, Chris Patrick, the Capitals' general manager, recently shared insights on the trade deadline. He emphasized the seller's market nature of this year's trades, noting that the Capitals opted to hold onto their promising prospects instead of making aggressive moves. The team made one significant addition, acquiring Anthony Beauvillier from the Pittsburgh Penguins, which has generated excitement as he joins a top-performing team in the Eastern Conference. Beauvillier is eager to make his debut and bring energy to the lineup, looking to adapt quickly and contribute to the team's success.

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Jakub Vrana has officially been claimed off waivers by the Nashville Predators after being placed on waivers by the Washington Capitals. This decision was primarily aimed at sending him to their AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears, but the Predators acted quickly, recognizing his potential. During his recent stint with the Capitals, Vrana put up 11 points in 26 games, demonstrating significant offensive ability. His noteworthy performances included a high goals-per-60-minutes ranking and impressive shooting percentage, making him a valuable addition to Nashville as they look to improve their competitiveness. In other developments, defenseman Alex Alexeyev has been recalled from his conditioning loan with the Hershey Bears following solid performances in the AHL. With the NHL Trade Deadline approaching, there are speculations that Alexeyev could be used as a trade chip to help the Capitals secure a third-line center, which they currently need to bolster their lineup as they push towards the playoffs. Additionally, Pierre-Luc Dubois is making a strong impact with the Capitals, boasting impressive statistics and emphasizing the importance of team chemistry in their success. As they navigate these changes, fans can expect exciting developments in the coming days.

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The Washington Capitals showcased their resilience in a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory against the New York Rangers, marking their league-leading 20th comeback win of the season. Alex Ovechkin had a standout performance, scoring his 32nd goal of the season and inching closer to Wayne Gretzky's legendary goal record with 885 total. Despite facing a tough start and trailing in the third period, the Capitals rallied thanks to Ovechkin's power play effort and Tom Wilson's clutch overtime goal, highlighting their offensive prowess as Ovechkin ties for fourth in the league with his goals. Off the ice, the Caps maintain a light-hearted atmosphere filled with pranks and camaraderie, as shared by players Logan Thompson and Aliaksei Protas. The playful antics often spotlight teammates, like Thompson, who finds himself both the target and instigator of jokes. Notably, Tom Wilson and Brandon Duhaime have gained reputations as the team's pranksters, fostering goodwill and bonding among teammates. This fun dynamic not only enhances team morale but also reflects the positive culture established by veteran players like Ovechkin and Wilson, ultimately contributing to the team's performance on the ice.

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