Capitals shut down Wild offense in 5-1 victory

Sarah McLellan, The Minnesota Star Tribune on Oct 17, 2025

Published in Hockey

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WASHINGTON — The Wild finally snapped their scoring skid.

But so did Alex Ovechkin.

After passing Wayne Gretzky last season to become the NHL’s all-time goals leader, Ovechkin’s first of the season helped Washington run away, 5-1, Friday at Capital One Arena in another grim night for the Wild’s 5-on-5 offense.

“That’s just not acceptable from top to bottom,” Wild defenseman Brock Faber said.

They did, however, finally net their first non-power play goal to end a three-game hiatus.

The Wild (2-3) had a season-low 15 shots.

“We were just going in spurts all night,” Faber said.

Dylan Strome scored twice for Washington and assisted on Ovechkin’s goal.

How it happened

Wild forward Marcus Johansson was responsible for No. 5, a game-tying snap shot from deep in the slot with 3 minutes, 13 seconds to go in the second period that sailed by a Jake Middleton screen in front of Capitals goalie Logan Thompson.

Johansson’s even-strength goal came after a string of nine in a row for the Wild on the power play, a run that was tied for the third longest in NHL history since 1933-34.

But only 31 seconds later, Washington responded to retake a lead it would protect the rest of the way.

Aliaksei Protas jammed in a low 2-on-1 pass at the back post and then 1:19 into the third period, Ovechkin buried a one-timer off a faceoff for his 898th career goal.

“That’s always tough to swallow,” Johansson said of Washington so quickly reclaiming the lead.

He also moved by Gordie Howe for the second-most even-strength goals at 567. Ovechkin, who is also closing in on 1,500 games, has 21 goals in 26 career games against the Wild — his best goal-per-game clip against any NHL franchise.

Turning point

The Capitals took over during a 10-0 blitz in shots on goal to close out the first period, pressure that included their first goal on a redirect in front by Strome off an Ovechkin pass at 17:52.

Before that, the Wild blanked on their first of only two power plays. This was the first time this season the Wild power play hasn’t capitalized, and goaltender Filip Gustavsson did an admirable job keeping Washington from earning an early blowout. Gustavsson finished with 40 saves, including 10 on the penalty kill to help deny four of the Capitals’ five chances.

Two of those looks came together as a four-minute high-sticking penalty against Middleton in the first minute of the second period, but the Wild couldn’t parlay that momentum into an immediate boost.

Strome had his second goal of the game 11:32 into the third period, Tom Wilson had the lone power-play goal with 1:57 left; and Thompson totaled 14 stops.

Key stat

The Wild’s five 5-on-5 goals this season are tied for the second fewest in the league.

What it means

Washington is a tough matchup.

The Capitals’ aggressive press limited time and space all over the ice, and the Wild were clunky as a result.

One of their longest shifts in the offensive zone actually came right before Johansson’s goal when a reworked line of Matt Boldy, Marco Rossi and Vladimir Tarasenko each had a try on net.

But Washington reset, and the Wild faded to reveal a tale of two teams: While the Capitals thrive on their cohesiveness, the Wild are still trying to find their consistency.

Up next

This road trip continues Saturday at Philadelphia, where the Wild have perennially struggled: They have won only five times in 18 trips to the City of Brotherly Love.