The Washington Capitals kicked off the 2025-26 season with big hopes, looking to carry on from their impressive 2024-25 run where they topped the Eastern Conference. Now that Alex Ovechkin’s record-breaking goal chase is behind them, the team is focusing on its solid lineup and strong defense to show that last year’s success wasn’t just a one-time thing.

So, just a few games into the new season, the team is already facing a big challenge with an injury to one of their key players. The Capitals are being careful with a lower-body injury to their top-six center, Pierre-Luc Dubois. The 27-year-old forward got hurt late in the third period during a 1-0 win against the New York Rangers on October 12, and then he was ruled out for the next game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Head coach Spencer Carbery called Dubois day-to-day and tried to calm any worries, saying, “It’s not a long-term thing with Dubois, but we’ll see how he is today. I’ll talk to the trainers, but there is a chance he skates tomorrow.” So, there was this initial excitement, but then reality hit when Dubois didn’t show up for the next practice, according to journalist Katie Adler on X.

Now, there’s a bit of uncertainty hanging over the Washington Capitals as they get ready for their game against the Minnesota Wild on Friday night. Without Dubois, the Capitals are definitely feeling a significant void in their lineup, especially considering how versatile he has been for the team. Last season was Dubois’ first in Washington, and he really made it count by setting a career high with 66 points—20 goals and 46 assists. Plus, he didn’t miss a single game!

Coach Carbery has really leaned on him this season, giving him an average of 17:22 of ice time in all situations. The Capitals are keeping an eye on Dubois’ recovery, so it’s still unclear if he’ll be ready for the next game against the Minnesota Wild. It looks like the team is taking a careful approach, focusing on the long season instead of hurrying a key player back onto the ice. So, how did their game turn out against the Lightning?

The Washington Capitals fought a tough battle

The Washington Capitals took down the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 in overtime on October 15, marking their third win in a row. In the first period, the Lightning jumped ahead with a goal from Jake Guentzel, making it 1-0. So, the Capitals managed to tie things up late in the second period when Aliaksei Protas found the back of the net with just over two minutes to go.

In the third period, the teams exchanged power-play goals, with Brayden Point giving Tampa Bay the lead before Tom Wilson brought Washington back, scoring their first power-play goal of the season. So, in overtime, defenseman Jakob Chychrun came through with the game-winning goal just 1:19 into the period. He wrapped up a play that Wilson and Dylan Strome set up.

The win brought the Capitals’ record to 3-1-0, and the Lightning dropped to 1-2-1. The Washington Capitals are definitely facing some challenges without one of their star wingers on the roster, but they’re still hanging in there and doing their best to keep the momentum going this season.