On January 24, 2025, the Washington Capitals made headlines by shutting out the Seattle Kraken 3-0 at Climate Pledge Arena, demonstrating their strength this season. This victory marked their sixth consecutive win and extended their point streak to 12 games, solidifying their position as the top team in the NHL.
Goaltender Charlie Lindgren stole the show with his first shutout of the season, stopping 22 shots. This performance came after he had been sidelined with an upper-body injury since January 10. Lindgren expressed his relief and joy to be back on the ice, stating, “I felt really good... I can’t even describe how much I... even though it was only two weeks, just getting back in there with the guys and being in the room again, I can’t overstate how much I love this team.” His solid play allowed the Capitals to maintain control throughout the match.
Washington struck first during the second period. At 4:36, Aliaksei Protas nabbed his 20th goal of the season, extending his career milestone and helping to put the Capitals up 1-0. Protas reflected on the goal, saying, “Sometimes you get lucky... but for sure, I will take it. You’ve got to stay consistent.” Later, at 18:05, Ethen Frank increased the lead to 2-0, showcasing his agility on the ice by scoring off his own rebound after his initial shot was saved. Frank’s goal marked his third goal of the season, making him the leading goal scorer for the Capitals since his NHL debut.
Then, with time winding down, Alex Ovechkin sealed the win with an empty-net goal at 16:32 of the third period, notching his 22nd goal this season and the 875th of his illustrious career, now just 19 goals shy of Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record of 894. Ovechkin’s achievement underscored his status as one of the top scorers in NHL history. Capitals coach Spencer Carbery praised Ovechkin’s contributions, stating, "I thought that was one of the better games that we've played in a long, long time, start to finish, in every phase.” Ovechkin's empty-net goal also raised eyebrows, as Carbery noted the challenge of any empty-net situation: “That was a tougher empty-netter... but good for him to seal it.”
The Capitals dominated many aspects of the game, outshooting the Kraken 32-22 and taking 61.5% of the faceoffs. Despite the Kraken’s efforts, which were led by Joey Daccord who made 29 saves, they couldn’t find the back of the net. Daccord acknowledged the Capitals’ performance, saying, “They’re No. 1 in the League for a reason. They played really well tonight.”
The game unfolded with exciting hockey, especially from the Capitals, who were described as playing some of their best hockey of late, particularly in the second period where they didn’t allow Seattle any shots on goal until the latter part of the 15-minute mark. Frank’s energy on ice was palpable and contributed significantly to sparking the Capitals. Coach Carbery highlighted Frank’s efforts, noting, “That’s a huge goal for Frankie to stay with that puck... I think was a big moment of the game.”
Lindgren’s performance marks another strong showing by the Capitals’ defense, who have allowed only 19 goals against during their 12-game point streak, averaging just 1.58 per game. Their defensive game has been bolstered by players committing to block shots, as demonstrated by their 22 blocked shots against Seattle.
This game not only added to the Capitals' impressive run but also amplified their lead over the Carolina Hurricanes, bringing it to eight points. Upcoming challenges will test Washington's mettle, with their next game against the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday. The Capitals look poised to continue their hot streak, making them team to watch as the season progresses.
Reflecting on the overall team dynamics, Protas expressed his pride for the Capitals' efforts and shared insights about their cohesiveness, emphasizing how they maintained pressure against the Kraken. Seattle's coach Dan Bylsma noted the difficulty his team faced throughout the game, stating, “That was a game against a good team, and we weren’t able to abate their pressure enough.”
The Washington Capitals demonstrated formidable teamwork, resilience, and remarkable performances on January 24th, confirming their status as legitimate contenders. With each match, they inch closer to their ultimate goals, making every game as thrilling as the last.