"Logan Thompson for Team Canada": 2025-26 Regular Season, Game 16: Carolina Hurricanes vs. Washington Capitals

Owners of a four-game win streak, the Carolina Hurricanes sought a victory to match their season high when they welcomed the Washington Capitals to town for their only visit of the regular season. After the Canes dominated in a five-game series win last May, they tried to carry that momentum into their first meeting of the year. The Canes welcomed Shayne Gostisbehere back into the lineup after six games, bringing them closer to full strength on the blue line, something we haven't seen from them since before the team's State Fair trip. Frederik Andersen was outstanding when they met in the playoffs, while Logan Thompson is one of the league's best goalies this season, with eyes on making Team Canada for the Olympics. With bad blood likely bubbling to the surface, we could see some fireworks at the Lenovo Center on Tuesday night.

Scoring Summary

1st Period

WSH (5:42)- Brandon Duhaime (2) (Ethan Frank (3) & Nic Dowd (4))

2nd Period

WSH (5:59)- Dylan Strome (5) (Alex Ovechkin (8) & John Carlson (8))

CAR (13:56)- Nikolaj Ehlers (3) (Jackson Blake (8) & Shayne Gostisbehere (7))

3rd Period

WSH (5:46-PP)- Jakob Chychrun (4) (Ryan Leonard (5) & John Carlson (9))

WSH (19:29-EN)- Alex Ovechkin (4) (Anthony Beauvillier (2))

My Thoughts

With tonight's loss dropping the Hurricanes to 11-5-0, there aren't many games to pick from when determining which game has featured the Canes' worst effort. Each loss has their moments, but this one might've been the Canes' worst effort of the season. The two Vegas losses were right there and came down to puck management. The Dallas loss was simply bad puck luck. The Boston loss was still a tight contest the entire way. From start to finish, the Capitals felt in control. Sure, the Canes interjected with a little life throughout the night, but they gave Washington too many chances. Most of them ended up in the back of their net. Despite this, the Canes remained within striking distance way longer than they probably deserved to be. Washington was the better team, and the final score reflected that.

There are exactly two positive points I would like to make about the Canes' game tonight. First, the second line continues to be the team's best. Jackson Blake and Nikolaj Ehlers combined for eight shots (4 each), scoring the Hurricanes' only goal courtesy of Ehlers to extend his point streak to five games. Blake set up the play with his speed. Logan Stankoven didn't record a shot. Instead, he preferred to use his fists tonight, dropping the mitts with Martin Fehervary in the first period after a collision between Nic Dowd and Frederik Andersen led to a meeting of the minds behind Carolina's net. Putting this trio together has been a massive revelation for the Hurricanes.

My second positive is Frederik Andersen, who did everything in his power to keep his team in the game. Just look at the three goals he allwoed tonight. The opener was a lost battle along the boards, leading to a 2-on-1 in front of the net that he couldn't get a glove on. The second goal was a Sebastian Aho turnover that resulted in a Dylan Strome breakaway. The final goal came on the power play, with the Canes losing the draw and allowing a shot that Andersen stopped but couldn't control the rebound. Seconds before the last goal, Andersen had made a massive stop on Tom Wilson in the dead slot. He showed life when Dowd ran into him, going back at him and earning a penalty. Unfortunately, he couldn't finish the game, getting run into by Jordan Staal and pulled by the concussion spotter. I'm trying to remain optimistic that it was purely precautionary, though we'll learn more in the coming days.

Since the Canes didn't give me much to work with tonight, I'll conclude my thoughts on tonight's game by making my case for Logan Thompson to be Team Canada's starter at the Olympics in February. While Canada won the 4 Nations tournament last season with Jordan Binnington in the net, leaving Thompson off the roster, especially with the season he was having, was a massive oversight. Now, it could've had to do with who the assistant coaches were, but there is no denying how deserving he is to represent his country. Thompson finished 4th in Vezina voting a season ago, and he's my early-season pick to be the winner of this season's award. He was phenomenal tonight, and he has been all season. If he is passed over by the selection committee again, it's purely ego-driven. 

First Star of the Game: Jackson Blake

It was between him and Nikolaj Ehlers, but I landed on Jackson Blake because of his effort through the neutral zone and into the offensive zone on the goal, forcing two defenders to collide before Ehlers scored. He also drew a penalty call and probably deserved to draw another one late in the second period. It was slim pickings tonight, though it could've really gone to anyone on the second line.

Next Up: The Canes have two days off before hosting another weekend back-to-back. Both contests are against Western Conference opponents, with the Canucks in town on Friday and the Oilers on Saturday. The Canes will be on the road for four straight next week, hitting Boston, Minnesota, Winnipeg, and Buffalo on their road to Thanksgiving.