You're probably looking at your watch or your phone and wondering exactly when to clear the schedule. It's a Sunday, the weather's doing whatever it's doing, and you just want to know what time is the washington capitals game tonight so you can plan your dinner around puck drop.
Honestly? There isn't one.
The Capitals are officially off tonight, Sunday, January 18, 2026. If you were hoping to see Ovi and the boys hit the ice at Capital One Arena this evening, you're actually a day late—or about 24 hours early, depending on how you look at it. The Caps just wrapped up a tough home stretch and are currently in the middle of a travel day. They are headed West.
Why There Is No Game On The Schedule Tonight
The NHL schedule is a grind. After playing the Florida Panthers at home last night (Saturday, January 17), the team has hit the road. They didn't have the best luck against Florida, dropping that one 5-2 despite a two-goal performance from Jakob Chychrun. It was a bit of a letdown, especially since they were looking to snap a little losing skid before leaving D.C.
Now, the squad is flying to Denver.
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They play the Colorado Avalanche tomorrow, Monday, January 19. That’s a matinee game because of the MLK Day holiday, so it’s actually an early start at 2:00 PM ET (which is 12:00 PM local time in Colorado). If you’re looking for hockey tonight, you might have to settle for watching some out-of-market games on ESPN+ or catching up on some highlights.
Looking Ahead To The West Coast Trip
This road trip is kind of a big deal. They are heading into a brutal stretch that will see them face some of the fastest teams in the league. After the Avalanche game tomorrow, they head further west to take on the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday.
Here is the immediate outlook for the next few days:
- Monday, Jan 19: at Colorado Avalanche (2:00 PM ET)
- Wednesday, Jan 21: at Vancouver Canucks (10:00 PM ET)
- Friday, Jan 23: at Calgary Flames (9:00 PM ET)
If you're wondering about what time is the washington capitals game tonight because you saw a listing for "7:00 PM," you might be looking at a replay or perhaps a PWHL event. Capital One Arena actually hosted a PWHL "Takeover Tour" game today between Montreal and New York, which might be where some of the confusion is coming from.
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How To Watch The Next Game
When they do get back on the ice tomorrow afternoon, you'll find them on Monumental Sports Network if you're local to the D.C. area. For the national crowd, the Monday game against the Avalanche is actually slated for a wider broadcast on TNT and HBO Max.
It’s a weird transition. Going from a 7:00 PM home start on Saturday to a 2:00 PM away start on Monday means the players are dealing with a serious shift in their internal clocks. Logan Thompson is expected to be back in net, though with the back-to-back travel, we might see Charlie Lindgren get the nod in Denver.
Breaking Down The Recent Slump
It hasn't been pretty lately. The Caps have gone 3-5-1 so far in January. That’s a far cry from the heater they were on earlier in the season. Tom Wilson is still leading the team in goals with 22, but he’s been banged up. He was a game-time decision yesterday with a lower-body injury and his status for the Colorado game is still "day-to-day."
Without Wilson and Pierre-Luc Dubois (who is out with an abdominal issue), the offense looks a little thin. Chychrun’s two goals against Florida were great, but you can’t rely on your defensemen to carry the scoring load forever.
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Actionable Next Steps For Caps Fans
Since there is no game tonight, use this time to get your setup ready for the early game tomorrow.
- Check Your Subscription: Ensure your Max (HBO) or TNT login works tonight so you aren't fumbling with passwords at 1:55 PM tomorrow.
- Set an Early Reminder: Because it’s a 2:00 PM ET start on a Monday, it’s easy to forget and realize the game is over by the time you finish work.
- Follow the Injury Report: Keep an eye on the morning skate reports from Denver tomorrow to see if Tom Wilson is actually on the ice. His presence changes the entire dynamic of the top six.
While the answer to what time is the washington capitals game tonight is "not tonight," the next week of hockey is going to be high-stakes. The Caps are currently sitting in fourth in the Metropolitan Division, and they can't afford to drop many more points if they want to keep that playoff cushion.
Go get some rest, maybe watch a movie, and get ready for that puck drop in the Rockies tomorrow afternoon.