Alex Ovechkin is kept off the scoresheet as the Capitals stumble out of the gate and never find their footing in a 5-2 loss to the Blues.

With the eyes of the hockey world hyper-focused on Boston Thursday for the highly anticipated 4 Nations Face-off contest between the U.S. and Canada, the Washington Capitals had their sights on a championship that will be decided later this year: The Stanley Cup Final.

NHL action is back, and so are weekly power rankings. The top teams in the Western Conference are all very good, so head-to-head results carry the most weight.

The Caps will seek to shake off Tuesday’s setback to the Flames, something they’ve handled with aplomb throughout the season to date. Washington is 16-2-1 in games immediately following losses this season, and it is 9-0-1 in the last 10 instances.

First-period goals by Martin Pospisil and Matt Coronato held up as the visiting Calgary Flames upset the red-hot Washington Capitals 3-1 on Tuesday.

Alex Ovechkin scored but couldn't help the Washington Capitals overcome a losing streak in the 2024-25 NHL season, with his team falling to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday.

Prediction for the NHL match which will take place on February 28. Who will turn out to be stronger? Check the team conditions! Several betting options are available.

In dispatching the Capitals 5-2 on Thursday night, the Blues strung together three consecutive wins for the first time this season, becoming the last NHL team to do so.