Capitals Defeat Senators in Late-Season Clash

Cole Hutson scores in NHL debut as Washington wins 4-1

Mar. 19, 2026 at 2:51am

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The Washington Capitals defeated the Ottawa Senators 4-1 on Wednesday, with Cole Hutson scoring in his NHL debut. Alex Ovechkin, Tom Wilson, and Aliaksei Protas also found the back of the net for the Capitals, who have won two of their last three games. Logan Thompson made 34 saves in the win, while Tim Stutzle scored the lone goal for the Senators.

Why it matters

This late-season matchup between the Capitals and Senators holds significance as both teams jockey for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference. The Capitals' victory keeps them in the hunt, while the Senators' loss snaps their two-game winning streak.

The details

The Capitals opened the scoring in the second period when Alex Ovechkin's shot deflected off a Senators defenseman and past goaltender Linus Ullmark. Tom Wilson extended the lead later in the period, and Aliaksei Protas added an empty-net goal in the final minutes. Tim Stutzle scored for the Senators, but it was not enough as they fell 4-1.

  • The game was played on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.
  • Ovechkin's goal was his 25th of the season, tying an NHL record with Gordie Howe for the most 25-goal seasons.
  • Hutson scored in his NHL debut with 26 seconds remaining in the game.

The players

Cole Hutson

A 19-year-old defenseman making his NHL debut for the Washington Capitals.

Alex Ovechkin

The NHL's all-time leading goal scorer, who netted his 922nd career goal in the game.

Tim Stutzle

The Ottawa Senators' leading goal scorer, who tallied his 31st goal of the season in the loss.

Logan Thompson

The Capitals' goaltender, who made 34 saves to earn the victory.

Linus Ullmark

The Senators' goaltender, who made 21 saves in the losing effort.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The Capitals will look to build on this key late-season victory as they continue their push for a playoff spot, while the Senators will aim to bounce back in their next game.

The takeaway

This game showcased the Capitals' depth and resilience, with several players contributing to the victory. The debut goal from Hutson added an exciting moment, while Ovechkin's milestone tally further cemented his status as one of the greatest goal scorers in NHL history.