In a thrilling showdown on January 9, 2026, the Washington Capitals decisively defeated the Chicago Blackhawks with a score of 5-1, ending Chicago's impressive four-game winning streak. Connor McMichael played a key role in this victory, contributing one goal and one assist to help propel the Capitals back to form after struggling through a rough patch where they had lost three out of their last four games.
Washington's scoring was a team effort, with notable contributions from Alex Ovechkin, Anthony Beauvillier, Ethen Frank, and Justin Sourdif, each finding the back of the net. Additionally, John Carlson and Martin Fehervary were instrumental in setting up plays, each recording two assists, while Logan Thompson delivered a solid performance in goal with 23 saves throughout the match.
For the Blackhawks, star player Connor Bedard made his return following a shoulder injury, but the team was facing significant challenges due to illness affecting several players in the locker room. Both goaltenders, Spencer Knight and Arvid Soderblom, were unable to play along with forward Ilya Mikheyev and defenseman Louis Crevier, leaving Chicago short-staffed for the game.
Despite these setbacks, Oliver Moore managed to score for the Blackhawks during a power play in the second period. This came after Chicago had previously secured a narrow victory over Washington just a week earlier, winning that encounter 3-2 in a shootout. In this game, Drew Commesso stepped in as the goaltender, making 19 saves in what was only his second career NHL start.
During the game, Bedard skated for more than 17 minutes, helping the Blackhawks to a record of 5 wins, 6 losses, and 1 overtime loss during his absence.
The Capitals took control early by scoring three goals in the first period. Beauvillier opened the scoring with a well-placed tip-in from Fehervary’s excellent pass at just over four minutes into the game. McMichael then added to the lead by slipping a shot past Commesso at the 15:07 mark, followed by Frank's seventh goal of the season just before the end of the period, putting Washington ahead 3-0.
Moore's power-play goal at 8:48 into the second offered a glimmer of hope for the Blackhawks, but Sourdif quickly responded for the Capitals, scoring amidst a scramble in front of the net at 12:38 to extend the lead to 4-1. Remarkably, Sourdif has now scored six goals over the last six games and boasts a total of nine this season.
In the third period, Ovechkin added his 19th goal of the season by once again finding the net through Commesso's legs at the 13:33 mark. The veteran winger has been on fire lately, scoring four times in his last three outings, bringing his career total to an astounding 916 goals – a record that includes scoring against 187 different goaltenders, further cementing his legacy in the NHL.
Looking ahead, the Capitals will be traveling to Nashville for their next game on Sunday night, while the Blackhawks are set to face the Predators the following evening.
