Here are the key storylines for the Washington Capitals and their schedule for the upcoming week of Jan. 25 – Feb. 1, 2026.
The Playoff Push
The Capitals find themselves in a precarious position in the Eastern Conference standings. As of late January, they are battling for a wild card spot, hovering right on the playoff bubble. Inconsistency has been a major issue; the team recently suffered a four-game losing skid before stabilizing with a win against the Calgary Flames. They are currently struggling to secure extra points, holding a poor record in shootouts (0-5) this season.
Aggressive “Buy” Mode for Trade Deadline
Despite the team’s up-and-down performance, general manager Chris Patrick has signaled that the Capitals are buyers heading into the trade deadline. The front office is actively hunting for a “high-end scoring winger” to bolster the top-six forward group. However, management is reportedly unwilling to part with top prospects (like defenseman Cole Hutson) to make a deal happen, complicating their search for immediate help. They have been mentioned by Elliotte Friedman as a potential landing spot for Artemi Panarin, although analysts differ on if the Caps would be willing to meet the New York Rangers’ asking price.
Tom Wilson Returns
The team received a massive boost with the activation of Tom Wilson from injured reserve on Jan. 21. He had been out since early January with a lower-body injury. Wilson is a critical piece, leading the team in hits and tied for the lead in scoring. During the win against the Flames on Jan. 23, Wilson assisted on the winning goal, had five hits and hit the net on three of eight shot attempts.
Capitals Schedule Jan. 25 – Feb. 1
| Date | Time (ET) | Opponent | Venue | Notes |
| Tue, Jan. 27 | 10:00 PM | @ Seattle Kraken | Climate Pledge Arena | Late start for East Coast viewers. |
| Thu, Jan. 29 | 7:30 PM | @ Detroit Red Wings | Little Caesars Arena | Critical Eastern Conference matchup. |
| Sat, Jan. 31 | 5:00 PM | vs. Carolina Hurricanes | Capital One Arena | A massive test against a Metro Division rival. |
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