Washington Beats Vegas 5-4

Capitals rally late to edge Golden Knights in close game

Mar. 29, 2026 at 7:21am

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The Washington Capitals defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 5-4 in a close game that came down to the wire. The Capitals scored two late goals in the third period to overcome a 4-3 deficit and secure the victory.

Why it matters

This was an important win for the Capitals as they continue to battle for playoff positioning in the tight Eastern Conference race. The Golden Knights, meanwhile, missed out on a chance to gain ground in the Western Conference standings.

The details

The Capitals fell behind 4-3 in the third period but got goals from Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov in the final minutes to pull out the victory. Ovechkin's goal with 2:32 remaining tied the game, and Kuznetsov scored the game-winner with just 24 seconds left on the clock.

  • The game was played on March 28, 2026.
  • The Capitals scored two late goals in the third period to win.

The players

Alex Ovechkin

Star forward for the Washington Capitals who scored the game-tying goal late in the third period.

Evgeny Kuznetsov

Capitals center who scored the game-winning goal with 24 seconds remaining.

Washington Capitals

NHL hockey team based in Washington, D.C. that defeated the Vegas Golden Knights.

Vegas Golden Knights

NHL expansion team based in Las Vegas, Nevada that lost a close game to the Capitals.

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What they’re saying

“We knew we had to keep fighting until the end. That's the kind of resilience this team has shown all season.”

— Alex Ovechkin, Capitals Forward

“It's a tough loss, but we had our chances and just couldn't close it out. We'll learn from this and come back stronger.”

— Jonathan Marchessault, Golden Knights Forward

What’s next

The Capitals will look to build on this win as they continue their push for the playoffs. The Golden Knights will try to bounce back in their next game.

The takeaway

This was an exciting, back-and-forth game that showcased the high level of talent and competitiveness in the NHL. The Capitals' late-game heroics demonstrated their ability to win close games, which could pay dividends as the playoff race heats up.