Carolina Hurricanes at Washington Capitals

NHL game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Washington Capitals on Dec 12, 2025. Final score: Carolina Hurricanes 3, Washington Capitals 2.

StatusFinal
DateDec 12, 2025
VenueCapital One Arena
Carolina Hurricanes score3
Washington Capitals score2

Shot charts, expected goals (xG), Game Score and advanced box scores for this game are available on Hockey Alchemy.

Three Stars by Game Score

Ranked by Game Score, which rolls goals, assists, shot quality, play-driving and penalties into one number — so the best player is chosen by the box score, not by a vote.

PlayerPosGASOGTOIxGGame Score
1stLogan StankovenC11416:540.561.49
2ndConnor McMichaelC11118:270.151.39
3rdRasmus SandinD02118:540.011.38

Scoring Summary

TimeTeamGoalAssistsStrengthScore (Carolina Hurricanes–Washington Capitals)
2nd 05:00WSHConnor McMichaelAlex Ovechkin, Rasmus Sandin5v50–1
2nd 13:43CARNikolaj EhlersLogan Stankoven, Alexander Nikishin5v51–1
3rd 11:32WSHNic DowdRasmus Sandin, Connor McMichael5v51–2
3rd 17:45CARLogan StankovenNikolaj Ehlers, Jalen Chatfield5v62–2
P5 00:00CARSeth Jarvis0v12–2

Team Comparison

Carolina HurricanesWashington Capitals
Goals32
Shots on goal3925
Expected goals (xG)4.254.61
High-danger shots1714
Corsi %63.4%36.6%
Power play0/20/1
Faceoff %65.2%34.8%
Hits2921
Blocks1021
Giveaways159
Takeaways73

Carolina Hurricanes Skaters

PlayerPosGAPSOGTOIxGGame Score
Logan StankovenC112416:540.561.49
Nikolaj EhlersL112617:540.471.34
Alexander NikishinD011016:370.160.74
Jalen ChatfieldD011222:570.030.59
William CarrierL000113:210.240.15
Eric RobinsonL000110:560.070.15
Jordan StaalC000017:460.130.15
K'Andre MillerD000123:040.130.15
Sebastian AhoC000321:190.680.15
Mark JankowskiL00028:060.190.10
Shayne GostisbehereD000123:410.030.10
Sean WalkerD000122:420.030.10
Andrei SvechnikovR000319:510.190.05
Taylor HallL000311:310.280.05
Joel NystromD000212:050.030.05
Seth JarvisC000520:300.510.00
Jackson BlakeR000020:240.10-0.05
Jordan MartinookL000413:260.06-0.22

Washington Capitals Skaters

PlayerPosGAPSOGTOIxGGame Score
Connor McMichaelC112118:270.151.39
Rasmus SandinD022118:540.011.38
Alex OvechkinL011317:120.450.69
Nic DowdC101114:330.080.52
Anthony BeauvillierL000318:520.230.30
Aliaksei ProtasC000222:050.440.15
Tom WilsonR000023:290.060.15
Dylan StromeC000220:010.420.10
Martin FehérváryD000216:310.020.10
Ethen FrankC000014:430.000.10
Brandon DuhaimeR00017:550.160.10
Jakob ChychrunD000125:270.050.10
John CarlsonD000120:470.100.05
Hendrix LapierreC00004:580.000.05
Trevor van RiemsdykD000019:210.030.05
Justin SourdifR000319:380.790.00
Sonny MilanoL00026:090.240.00
Matt RoyD000221:580.02-0.05

Goaltending

GoalieTeamSVSASV%GSAxDecision
Brandon BussiCarolina Hurricanes232592.0%0.65W
Logan ThompsonWashington Capitals373994.9%3.38O

Analysis

The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Washington Capitals 3–2 on Dec 12, 2025, a one-goal game.

Washington Capitals generated 4.61 expected goals to Carolina Hurricanes's 4.25 — Washington Capitals owned the better of the chances but Carolina Hurricanes took the game, the kind of split that usually means finishing or goaltending decided it; by expected goals it was close to a coin flip.

Logan Stankoven led all skaters with a Game Score of 1.49 on 1 goal, 1 assist, 4 shots on goal.

Logan Thompson stopped 37 of 39, worth 3.38 goals saved above expected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the Carolina Hurricanes vs Washington Capitals game?

The Carolina Hurricanes beat the Washington Capitals 3–2 on Dec 12, 2025.

What was the final score?

The final score was Carolina Hurricanes 3, Washington Capitals 2.

Who was the best player in this game?

By Game Score — a single-number summary of everything a skater did — Logan Stankoven led all skaters at 1.49, on 1G, 1A and 4 shots on goal.

Which team deserved to win by expected goals?

Washington Capitals generated 4.61 expected goals and Carolina Hurricanes generated 4.25, so Washington Capitals created the better chances. The scoreboard went the other way, which points to finishing or goaltending.

What were the shot totals?

Carolina Hurricanes put 39 shots on goal and Washington Capitals put 25. High-danger chances went 17 to 14.

How did the goaltenders play?

Brandon Bussi stopped 23 of 25 (0.65 goals saved above expected); Logan Thompson stopped 37 of 39 (3.38 goals saved above expected).