ANAHEIM, Calif. – The Washington Capitals faced off against the Anaheim Ducks on March 11, 2025, continuing their three-game California road trip with high energy and determination. The night concluded with the Capitals triumphing 7-4, marking their fifth consecutive victory and eleving their season record to 43-14-8.
Goaltender Logan Thompson played a significant role, making 26 saves throughout the match. This win not only reinforced Washington’s position as contenders but also highlighted several players’ standout performances, particularly Aliaksei Protas, who earned his first career NHL hat trick.
The action kicked off quickly at the Honda Center. Just 2:07 after the opening faceoff, forward Dylan Strome scored the Capitals' first goal of the night, marking his 20th of the season and extending his point streak to five games. Strome's slick maneuver on the backhand, following a deft assist from Tom Wilson, showcased his scoring touch.
Moments later, Anaheim retaliated, with Jacob Trouba tying the game 1-1 at 4:51. Trouba’s goal came after he rebounded a loose puck, sliding it past Thompson, and 29 seconds later, Drew Helleson put the Ducks up 2-1 with a long-range shot. The Capitals seemed to be facing their recurring concern of sluggish starts even after gaining the initial lead.
But with just 1:40 remaining in the first period, Aliaksei Protas found the net to again level the score, making it 2-2. With another powerful shot, his 26th goal of the season, Protas showcased his natural scoring ability, receiving praise from Ovechkin for his timely finish.
The second period saw the Capitals shifting the momentum. Pierre-Luc Dubois redirected Matt Roy's pass to regain the lead 3-2 for Washington, marking his 13th point over the past 11 games. Dubois' performance complemented Protas’ burgeoning confidence on the ice.
Just as it appeared Washington was heading toward a simpler match, the Ducks struck back, once again tying it as Pavel Mintyukov scored early in the third period. The intensity built as both teams exchanged fast-paced scoring opportunities.
Within 31 seconds after the Ducks tied the game 3-3, Protas responded with his second goal of the night, skillfully maneuvering his way through the defense to again push the Capitals back on top 4-3. The Capitals now controlled the tempo and seized the initiative as Nic Dowd followed with another goal to extend the lead to 5-4.
But the excitement didn’t end there. Anthony Beauvillier, traded from the Pittsburgh Penguins just days earlier, scored his first goal with the Capitals, widening the lead to 6-4 with just over a minute remaining. Washington's efforts to maintain the momentum benefited significantly from the depth scoring throughout the lineup.
Finally, as the game headed to its conclusion, Ovechkin, eyeing his own milestone of surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s goal record, famously passed on the opportunity to score himself and instead assisted Protas' empty-net goal, completing the hat trick and sealing the game at 7-4. With this assist, Ovechkin marked his third point of the night, finishing with three assists.
Protas expressed gratitude toward his teammates during the postgame celebrations. "It’s pretty special for me, for my family. It’s all because of you guys. Proud to go out there with you every night," he said, acknowledging the support from his fellow players.
Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery praised Protas for maintaining his composure under pressure, particularly his performance after the Ducks attempted to mount their comeback. "The timeliness of Protas’ goals was pivotal, particularly his second. That’s clutch performance against solid opposition," Carbery noted.
Meanwhile, Thomas Wilson experienced his own milestone during the match by setting a new career-high points total this season with his contributions, solidifying his role as an integral part of the team's success. Alongside him, Jakob Chychrun also achieved career-best points, demonstrating Washington's overall depth and skill.
With only 17 games remaining, the Capitals maintain their lead over the Carolina Hurricanes and the Florida Panthers for position within the Metropolitan Division and Eastern Conference standings. Looking forward, they’ll face the Los Angeles Kings on March 13, seeking to maintain their winning streak and solidify their playoff aspirations.
The Capitals’ offense is absolutely firing on all cylinders, with players stepping up one after another, and moments like Protas’ hat trick serve to boost not just individual morale, but the overall team spirit as they march toward the playoffs.
Fans can expect even bigger moments as the season progresses, with the chemistry evident on and off the ice among the Capitals roster, demonstrating their commitment to achieving success together.