Checking in on the Washington Capitals vs. Florida Panthers
If you’re frantically searching for what is the score of the Capitals hockey game, you’re probably just like me—pacing around the living room or refreshing a browser tab every thirty seconds. Tonight, January 17, 2026, the Washington Capitals are hosting the Florida Panthers at Capital One Arena.
The puck drops at 7:00 PM EST.
Since the game is just getting underway, the score is currently 0-0 in the first period. But honestly, if you know anything about these two teams lately, that goose egg on the scoreboard won't last long. Washington is coming off a frustrating 3-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night. That game was a heartbreaker. They had a lead thanks to a Dylan Strome power-play goal, but then the wheels basically fell off for about three minutes in the second period. They gave up three goals in less than three minutes. You just can’t do that in this league.
Why Tonight’s Scoreboard Matters So Much
The Capitals are sitting at 24-18-6 right now. That’s 54 points, which puts them right in the thick of the Metropolitan Division race. They’re 4th in the Metro, but the wild card race is getting messy. Florida isn’t exactly a walk in the park either. They’re coming in at 24-19-3, so they’re basically neck-and-neck with the Caps in the standings.
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Here is the thing about the Panthers: they are bruised. They just got absolutely shellacked 9-1 by Carolina last night. Ouch. Usually, a team that gets embarrassed like that comes out swinging the next night. Or, they’re totally exhausted because they’re on the second half of a back-to-back. Washington needs to jump on them early. If the score of the Capitals hockey game shows Washington up by two in the first ten minutes, you can bet Florida might just fold.
Players Who Will Likely Change the Score
Alex Ovechkin is the name everyone watches, obviously. He had an assist against the Sharks, but he hasn't been "The Great Eight" in the goal-scoring column for a few games now. He’s sitting at 21 assists, but we all know he wants that goal.
Dylan Strome and Ryan Leonard are the guys actually carrying the weight lately. Leonard scored a beaut against San Jose, deking through the slot and wiring one home. He’s got 10 goals on the season now. On the Florida side, keep an eye on Sam Reinhart. Even though the Panthers lost 9-1 yesterday, he’s still their most dangerous threat with 24 goals this year.
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How to Watch and Follow Live
If you can’t get to a TV, you’ve got options.
- TV: Monumental Sports Network (locally) or Scripps Sports.
- Streaming: ESPN+ is the go-to for out-of-market fans.
- Radio: 106.7 The Fan is the classic D.C. choice.
The goaltending matchup is expected to be Logan Thompson for the Caps and likely Daniil Tarasov for Florida, given Bobrovsky played in that disaster yesterday. Thompson has been solid with a 2.77 GAA, but he needs his defense to stop hanging him out to dry during those "meltdown minutes" that seem to plague the team lately.
What to Watch for in the Second and Third Periods
Pay attention to the power play. Washington’s power play has been... well, kinda mediocre. They are ranked 30th in the league at roughly 15%. That is abysmal for a team with Ovechkin and John Carlson on the point. If the score of the Capitals hockey game stays tight into the third, a single power play could be the difference between a win and another "moral victory" that doesn't help them in the standings.
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The Capitals are heading out on a massive Western Canada road trip after this. They go to Colorado, Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton. If they don't secure two points tonight at home, that road trip is going to feel very long and very heavy.
To keep track of the most current score as the game progresses, you should check the official NHL game center or the Monumental Sports app. Expect a physical game—the Panthers always play with an edge, and Washington is trying to prove they aren't the team that folded against San Jose.
Monitor the shot clock in the second period. Washington has a habit of getting outshot when they lead, playing a "prevent" defense that usually just prevents them from winning. If they stay aggressive, they should handle a tired Florida squad.
Check the live box score at the end of each period to see if the secondary scoring—guys like Ethen Frank or Connor McMichael—is chipping in. When the Caps win, it’s usually because someone other than the top line found the back of the net. Stay tuned to the live broadcast for the final result as the third period wraps up around 9:30 PM EST.