Capitals Return to Host Hurricanes in Exciting Home Game

Casey Halston

Published: January 31, 2026 5:37 PM ET

Capitals Return to Host Hurricanes in Exciting Home Game

The Washington Capitals return to Capital One Arena on January 31 to face the Carolina Hurricanes in an exciting matchup. The game starts at 5:00 p.m. and will be broadcasted on MNMT, with radio coverage available on 106.7 THE FAN and the Caps Radio Network.

Overview of the Teams

The Carolina Hurricanes currently hold a record of 33 wins, 15 losses, and 5 overtime losses, while the Capitals stand at 26 wins, 22 losses, and 7 overtime losses. This home game marks the Capitals’ return following a tough six-game road trip.

Recent Performance

The Capitals finished their road trip with a 2-3-1 record.
They sit 10th in the Eastern Conference, eight points from the second wild card spot.
In their last game, Washington secured a 4-3 shootout victory against the Detroit Red Wings.

The team faced challenges during their trip, including injuries to key players such as goaltender Logan Thompson and defensemen Matt Roy and Rasmus Sandin. Despite these setbacks, the Capitals delivered a strong performance against Detroit that showcased their ability to rebound.

Player Highlights

In the recent game against Detroit, Nic Dowd scored his first career shootout goal, achieving this milestone in his 629th game. Dowd expressed relief after playing a pivotal role in the shootout and recovering from prior setbacks. Dylan Strome also contributed significantly, scoring a goal and assisting in the game, while winning 71% of his faceoffs.

Looking Ahead

Tomorrow’s game against the Hurricanes is crucial as it is the first of three meetings this season. The previous encounter on December 11 ended in a 3-2 shootout victory for Carolina. Since that game, the Hurricanes have performed exceptionally well with a record of 15-6-3, while the Capitals have struggled with an 8-13-4 record.

Carolina has secured points in their last six games, with a 5-0-1 record.
Washington aims to leverage their home advantage and improve their playoff position.

Conclusion

This upcoming game against the Hurricanes is a significant opportunity for the Capitals to regain momentum before the NHL’s break for the Winter Olympic Games. The two teams are well-matched, and an exciting showdown is expected at Capital One Arena.