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Capitals at Blue Jackets: Lines, Notes, & How to Watch
TL;DR
The Washington Capitals have been eliminated from playoff contention after a loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. They will finish the 2025-26 season with a final game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
The Washington Capitals (42-30-9) are officially done after Tuesday night. They conclude the 2025-26 season with a road matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets (40-29-12) at Nationwide Arena.
The puck drops at 7:00 p.m. ET.
The Capitals were officially eliminated from playoff contention after Philadelphia beat Carolina on Monday. That game required a shootout where the Flyers emerged victorious and clinched a playoff berth for themselves.
Philadelphia also hit 96 points, while the Capitals can only max out at 95 points. Columbus was also eliminated as a result of the Flyers’ win.
As a result, the Capitals will miss the playoffs for the first time under head coach Spencer Carbery. The team previously missed the postseason in the spring of 2023, prior to Carbery’s hire.
Tuesday’s game could also be the last for legendary captain Alex Ovechkin. The 40-year-old will make a decision on his future this summer.
The Capitals carry a three-game winning streak into their season finale on Tuesday. They just swept a home-and-home set with the playoff-bound Pittsburgh Penguins this past weekend.
Sunday’s game was an emotional one for Ovechkin, who may have played his final home game at Capital One Arena. He even got to face rival Sidney Crosby for the 100th time (75th in the regular season).
The Capitals got the job done for a 3-0 home win over Pittsburgh on Sunday. Logan Thompson made 24 saves and recorded his fourth shutout of the season.
Trevor van Riemsdyk broke the scoreless tie in the second period with a tally. Then, Connor McMichael followed up with two goals in the third, including an empty-netter.
Expected Capitals Lines
Forwards
Alex Ovechkin – Dylan Strome – Anthony Beauvillier
Connor McMichael – Pierre-Luc Dubois – Ryan Leonard
Aliaksei Protas – Ilya Protas – Tom Wilson
Brandon Duhaime – Justin Sourdif – Ivan Miroshnichenko
Defensemen
Martin Fehervary – Timothy Liljegren
Jakob Chychrun – Trevor van Riemsdyk
Cole Hutson – Matt Roy
Goalies
Logan Thompson
Clay Stevenson
Expected Blue Jackets Lines
Forwards
Kirill Marchenko – Adam Fantilli – Isac Lundestrom
Cole Sillinger – Charlie Coyle – Conor Garland
Mason Marchment – Boone Jenner – Danton Heinen
Kent Johnson – Sean Monahan – Miles Wood
Defensemen
Zach Werenski – Dante Fabbro
Ivan Provorov – Denton Mateychuk
Egor Zamula – Erik Gudbranson
Goalies
Jet Greaves
Elvis Merzlikins
How to Watch
TV: ESPN, Monumental Sports Network
Radio: Team 980/Caps Radio Network
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Q&A
Why were the Washington Capitals eliminated from playoff contention?
The Capitals were eliminated after the Philadelphia Flyers won a shootout against the Carolina Hurricanes, securing a playoff spot and leaving the Capitals without a chance.
What is the final game schedule for the Capitals in the 2025-26 season?
The Capitals' final game of the 2025-26 season is against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m. ET.
What was the Capitals' record at the end of the 2025-26 season?
The Washington Capitals finished the 2025-26 season with a record of 42 wins, 30 losses, and 9 overtime losses.
