Hurricanes Defeated Capitals to Extend Win Streak
The Carolina Hurricanes beat the Washington Capitals 4-2 to secure their sixth consecutive victory.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Hockey
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The Carolina Hurricanes secured a 4-2 win against the Washington Capitals on Tuesday at the Lenovo Center. Andrei Svechnikov netted two goals, including the game-winner, while Pyotr Kochetkov tallied 20 saves to keep the winning streak alive.
Why it matters
The Hurricanes maintain their momentum with six straight victories, though they must navigate the loss of veteran center Jordan Staal. Staal will be sidelined for at least one month after sustaining a calf injury during Sunday's warmups.
Andrei Svechnikov scored two goals, with his final tally coming with 6:04 remaining in the third period. Pyotr Kochetkov recorded 20 saves to improve his season record to 4-0-0, while Logan Thompson stopped 31 shots for the Capitals.
The players
Andrei Svechnikov
He is a Hurricanes forward who scored two goals in the victory.
Jordan Staal
The 38-year-old Hurricanes center is sidelined for at least one month due to a calf injury.
Pyotr Kochetkov
He is the Hurricanes goaltender who recorded 20 saves during Tuesday's game.
Alex Ovechkin
The 41-year-old Capitals captain was the No. 1 NHL draft pick in 2004 and is set to retire after this season.
Logan Thompson
He is the Capitals goaltender who recorded 31 saves against the Hurricanes.
The details
Eric Robinson and Mark Jankowski added goals for the Hurricanes, with Robinson scoring off a deflection from Martin Fehervary. Boone Jenner and Justin Holl provided the goals for the Capitals in the loss.
Timeline
2004: Alex Ovechkin was the No. 1 NHL draft pick.
Sunday: Jordan Staal sustained a calf injury during warmups.
Tuesday: The Hurricanes defeated the Capitals 4-2.
Wednesday: The Capitals host Montreal.
Saturday: The Hurricanes begin a road trip at Winnipeg.
Season Trajectory
This win reinforces the Hurricanes' position as a dominant early-season force while the Capitals navigate the final stages of the Alex Ovechkin era. The absence of Jordan Staal forces the Hurricanes to adjust their roster rotation as they head into a challenging five-game road trip.
The Hurricanes' 1-for-5 power play performance suggests a need for improvement as they prepare for a five-game road stretch. With Jordan Staal out for at least a month, team depth will be tested during upcoming away games.
The takeaway
The Hurricanes have successfully leveraged home-ice advantage to build an early six-game winning streak. Fans should watch for how the team manages its rotation during the upcoming five-game road trip without their veteran center.
What happens next
The Capitals host Montreal on Wednesday, and the Hurricanes begin a five-game road trip at Winnipeg on Saturday.
Further reading
For more information on the team, visit the Raleigh Hockey section.
Live Poll
Does your local team's ability to win despite player injuries increase your trust in them?
