Washington Capitals 6-1 Chicago Blackhawks
The Washington Capitals, led by their star captain from the United States, broke a brief skid with a decisive win on the Blackhawks’ rink. The victory delivered confidence to a team chasing a wild card and offered a clear message that every win matters in their late-season push.
For long stretches, Washington controlled the pace. By the 42nd minute the Capitals had surged to a 5-0 lead, with Anthony Mantha tallying his second goal of the night as Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov contributed assists to keep the attack clicking.
Nikita Zaitsev surprised the home crowd in the 44th minute by deflecting a shot past his own goalie, Darcy Kuemper, marking a rare defensive blunder that briefly put Chicago on the board at 5-1.
Washington delivered a late exclamation mark in the 55th minute when Ovechkin converted a finish behind Anton Khudobin, widening the gap to 6-1. The Russian superstar celebrated with his family, sharing a moment of pride after the horn sounded.
The win also boosted Ovechkin’s season totals. He moved closer to Wayne Gretzky’s all-time scoring mark with his 41st goal of the year, leaving him at 821 career goals and 70-point seasons for the season assembled through assists and goals combined. The Capitals captain stands among the league’s elite, having joined another group of 70-plus point Russians this season with his latest contribution in the win over Chicago.
Before long, questions about the team’s depth were joined by historical notes about the night’s netminders. Khudobin, who joined the Blackhawks in March, played his first game for the club since returning to the NHL after a stint in the AHL. His performance was uneven, but it marked a notable comeback for a veteran goalie as he faced the task of stopping a dynamic Washington attack.
Khudobin’s appearance also set a broader record for Russian netminders this season, becoming the 12th Russian to skate in an NHL game this year. That figure surpassed the previous high set in the 2020/21 season, when 11 Russian goalkeepers appeared in league play. The night’s victory belonged to Washington, yet the storyline carried through on both benches as players continued to push for personal milestones and team success.
Carolina Hurricanes 1-2 New York Rangers
On the Carolina ice, the spotlight shone on the New York Rangers who leaned on two Russian stars, Igor Shesterkin in goal and Artemi Panarin in the offense. The Hurricanes struck first, with Sebastian Aho finding the net at the 17th minute to give the home team the early lead. Panarin answered in the second period, assisted by Vladimir Tarasenko, and the scene was set for a dramatic finish in the final frame as Adam Fox sealed the win for New York with a late goal after Panarin’s setup.
Shesterkin earned first star honors after turning away 29 shots and delivering key saves at crucial moments. His performance was repeatedly highlighted by Carolina’s coaching staff and analysts who praised the Chicago-born goaltender for stabilizing New York’s defense in the late stages of games. Shesterkin’s steadiness under pressure was noted as a defining factor in the Rangers’ triumph.
Panarin’s production continued to climb this season, bringing his point total to 82 with 24 goals and 58 assists. His steady production places him among the league’s top scorers, and his career milestone of reaching 650 points in 579 NHL games further cements his status among the elite Russian players in the league’s history.
Tarasenko also played a pivotal role, contributing his 300th career point in the NHL and climbing among the Russians in the all-time tally for assists. The night underscored how multiple veteran Russians have built enduring legacies in North American hockey and how their contributions shape team success in high-stakes games.
Ottawa Senators 7-2 Tampa Bay Lightning
In Ottawa, the Lightning faced a stern test from a hungry Senators squad. Tampa Bay, already holding a firm goal to make the playoffs, endured a heavy defeat that extended a recent slump. The home team built momentum with multiple lines contributing on the scoresheet, highlighting Ottawa’s depth as a differentiating factor on this night.
Early in the game the scoring pace was controlled by the hosts, but Tampa Bay showed flashes of skill as the match progressed. Braden Point and Yanni Gourde sparked a brief fight to keep Tampa within reach, aided by Nikita Kucherov who threaded a couple of plays that created chances for his teammates. Yet the Senators’ offensive tempo proved too much as Ottawa closed the door late in the game.
Even in defeat, Kucherov moved closer to another milestone in Russian hockey history. With two assists on the night, he climbed the all-time list of assists by Russian players in the NHL, matching and then edging toward a long-standing mark held by other greats. The progression places him in sight of series records as the season progresses toward its finale.
Post-game chatter emphasized Kucherov’s consistent high-level play and his role as a catalyst for Tampa Bay’s offense. His season totals continued to rise, contributing to his longstanding reputation as one of the league’s most productive players in recent years.
Vancouver Canucks 7-2 San Jose Sharks
The Canucks rolled to a convincing win over the Sharks, with a decisive performance from the host club. Vancouver leaned on a pair of Russian forwards who helped push the attack and kept the pressure on all night. While San Jose featured players who have previously made an impact, the Canucks’ depth came through in waves and allowed them to pull away late in the game.
Andrey Kuzmenko starred with a goal and an assist, while Vasily Podkolzin added another tally. Kuzmenko’s milestone season included breaking Pavel Bure’s single-season Canucks goal record, a landmark moment for a player in his rookie year who has quickly become a franchise centerpiece. The team celebrated his success and looked ahead to sustaining the momentum. A veteran voice emphasized the importance of building on this season’s success while continuing to develop as players and a team.
The night also highlighted the ongoing progress of Kuzmenko who is navigating the early stages of a promising NHL career. His goal-scoring burst in the first year resonated with fans who expect continued growth and leadership from him in the years ahead.
Detroit Red Wings 3-4 St. Louis Blues
The Blues came out buzzing in Detroit, racing to an early 0-2 deficit before turning the game around with a rapid four-goal stretch from the 10th through the 35th minute. Alexei Toropchenko’s early strike sparked the comeback that would eventually tilt the game in favor of St. Louis.
Detroit fought back with a late response from Alex Chiasson, but the comeback proved too little, too late. The Blues’ resilience underscored the competitive nature of the league at this stage of the season as teams jockey for playoff position and individual achievements alike.