Canucks Face Off Against Ovechkin: Can They Break the Curse and Ignite a Comeback?

The Vancouver Canucks find themselves at a crossroads this Wednesday night as they gear up to host the Washington Capitals at Rogers Arena. Carrying the weight of an 11-game losing skid into 2026, the Canucks are desperate not only to snap this troublesome streak but to ignite some much-needed momentum on home ice—a place where victories have been painfully scarce since early December. Meanwhile, the Capitals aren’t exactly in cruise control either, stumbling through recent contests with just three wins in their last ten outings. It’s shaping up to be a pivotal showdown, especially with the looming questions around key players—like the possible return of Teddy Blueger, which could shift Vancouver’s center-ice dynamics dramatically. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely: Will the Canucks finally arrest their slide, or will the Capitals continue their teetering climb? Whatever happens, the stakes have rarely felt higher in a matchup that promises plenty of drama. LEARN MORE

The Vancouver Canucks (16-28-5) continue their homestand on Wednesday as they face the Washington Capitals. Vancouver enters this game looking not just to end an 11-game losing streak, but pick up their first win of 2026. As for the Capitals, they have also hit a rough patch of late as they enter Wednesday with a 3-6-1 record in their last 10.

While the Canucks did skate away with a victory the last time these two teams played, it was a costly game for Vancouver. The Canucks sustained multiple injuries, with Teddy Blueger and Filip Chytil yet to return to the lineup since the October 19 matchup. Based on Adam Foote’s comments this week, Blueger may be ready to come off IR on Wednesday, which would provide the team a massive boost at center ice.

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The big question heading into this game is, will the losing streak finally end? Vancouver has not won a game since December 29, while their last home victory came on December 6. Even though a loss hurts the tank, picking a win in front of the home crowd every once in a while would be appreciated.

Players To Watch:

Filip Hronek:

Filip Hronek has stepped up his game since the Quinn Hughes trade. The 28-year-old played 28:01 on Monday and has already surpassed the 25-assist mark for the third straight season. Hronek has become a leader on the ice for the Canucks and is showing he can be a successful top pair defenceman regardless of who is partner is.

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Alex Ovechkin:

Wednesday could be the final time fans get to see Alex Ovechkin play at Rogers Arena. The NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer hasn’t indicated whether he will play next year or not, but he is an unrestricted free agent after the season. If this is the end of the road for the “Great 8”, he has certainly made his presence known in Vancouver, as he has 16 goals and 27 points in 29 career games against the Canucks.

Vancouver Canucks (16–28–5): 

Points: 

Elias Pettersson: 13–16–29

Filip Hronek: 3–25–28

Jake DeBrusk: 12–10–22

Brock Boeser: 10–12–22

Linus Karlsson: 10-12-22

Goaltenders: 

Thatcher Demko: 8–10–1

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Kevin Lankinen: 6–14–4

Nikita Tolopilo: 2–3–0

Jiří Patera: 0–1–0

Washington Capitals (24–20–6): 

Points: 

Tom Wilson: 22-20-42

Alex Ovechkin: 20-22-42

John Carlson: 9-29-38

Dylan Strome: 11-26-37

Jakob Chychrun: 18-18-36

Goaltenders: 

Logan Thompson: 17-14-4

Charlie Lindgren: 7-6-2

Game Information:

Start time: 7:00 pm PT

Venue: Rogers Arena

Television: Sportsnet

Radio: Sportsnet 650

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