The Washington Capitals (43-30-9) enter the 2026 NHL Draft cycle just outside the playoff field, placing them in the lottery with one of the lowest odds to move up. The NHL Draft Lottery is May 5 during the NHL Playoffs,

The Washington Capitals were officially eliminated from 2026 Stanley Cup playoff contention Monday night, their fate sealed not by their own game, but by result

Trevor van Riemsdyk collects the puck off a turnover deep in the Capitals' zone, turns to look and spots Anthony Beauvillier wide open just outside the Blue Jackets' blue line. A perfect stretch pass got him the puck and an even slicker move beats Greaves for a tying goal for Beauvillier just past the midpoint in the second.

The Washington Capitals failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2023. The Capitals (42-30-9, 93 points) were eliminated from contention when the Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2 in a shootout Monday.

ARLINGTON, V.A. — After John Carlson and Nic Dowd were shipped out ahead of the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline, the Washington Capitals got the message loud and clear: they had to be better. But a new question loomed: now what?