Capitals rally to beat Hurricanes 4-3 in OT

Justin Sourdif scores game-winner for Washington after team overcomes 3-goal deficit

Jan. 31, 2026 at 7:47pm

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The Washington Capitals came back from a 3-0 deficit to defeat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3 in overtime on Saturday night. Justin Sourdif scored the game-winning goal 1:42 into the extra period, capitalizing on a rebound to give the Capitals the victory.

Why it matters

The Capitals' dramatic comeback win showcases their resilience and ability to battle back from a large deficit, an important quality for a team looking to make a deep playoff run. The loss is a tough one for the Hurricanes, who had controlled much of the game before letting the lead slip away.

The details

The Hurricanes jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first two periods, but the Capitals stormed back with three unanswered goals in the third to tie the game and force overtime. In the extra period, Sourdif was in the right place at the right time, slamming home the rebound of a shot to give Washington the comeback victory.

  • The game was played on Saturday, February 1, 2026.
  • Sourdif scored the game-winning goal 1:42 into overtime.

The players

Justin Sourdif

The Washington Capitals forward scored the game-winning goal in overtime to complete the team's comeback.

Washington Capitals

The NHL hockey team based in Washington, D.C. that overcame a 3-0 deficit to defeat the Carolina Hurricanes.

Carolina Hurricanes

The NHL hockey team that lost a 3-0 lead and fell to the Capitals in overtime.

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What they’re saying

“We showed a lot of fight and character to come back from that big deficit. It was a huge win for us.”

— Justin Sourdif

The takeaway

The Capitals' dramatic comeback victory showcases their ability to battle back from adversity, an important quality for a team with Stanley Cup aspirations. The loss is a tough one for the Hurricanes, who will need to regroup after letting a sizeable lead slip away.