Chicago Blackhawks at Washington Capitals

NHL game between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Washington Capitals on Jan 03, 2026. Final score: Chicago Blackhawks 3, Washington Capitals 2.

StatusFinal
DateJan 03, 2026
VenueCapital One Arena
Chicago Blackhawks 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
1stDylan StromeC10221:120.150.85
2ndRyan LeonardR10320:210.280.75
3rdRyan DonatoC10116:590.120.75

Scoring Summary

TimeTeamGoalAssistsStrengthScore (Chicago Blackhawks–Washington Capitals)
1st 01:13CHIRyan DonatoIlya Mikheyev5v51–0
1st 04:46WSHDylan StromeEthen Frank, Trevor van Riemsdyk5v51–1
2nd 04:24CHITeuvo TeravainenTyler Bertuzzi, Andre Burakovsky4v52–1
3rd 11:18WSHRyan LeonardMatt Roy, Anthony Beauvillier5v52–2
P5 00:00CHINick Lardis0v12–2
P5 00:00WSHDylan Strome1v02–2
P5 00:00WSHSonny Milano1v02–2
P5 00:00CHIAndre Burakovsky0v12–2
P5 00:00CHINick Foligno0v12–2

Team Comparison

Chicago BlackhawksWashington Capitals
Goals32
Shots on goal3334
Expected goals (xG)5.175.44
High-danger shots1319
Corsi %50.4%49.6%
Power play1/20/1
Faceoff %49.0%51.0%
Hits1123
Blocks919
Giveaways1916
Takeaways92

Chicago Blackhawks Skaters

PlayerPosGAPSOGTOIxGGame Score
Ryan DonatoC101116:590.120.75
Tyler BertuzziL011318:430.350.74
Teuvo TeravainenC101115:440.390.70
Andre BurakovskyL011420:370.590.59
Ilya MikheyevR011218:260.240.59
Jason DickinsonC000117:210.040.25
Artyom LevshunovD000223:460.100.10
Louis CrevierD000220:300.260.10
Matt GrzelcykD000317:260.040.05
Nick LardisL000314:340.230.05
Connor MurphyD000116:500.010.05
Landon SlaggertL000110:560.240.05
Colton DachC000011:410.010.05
Ryan GreeneC000420:070.560.00
Nick FolignoL000010:270.000.00
Oliver MooreC000213:580.10-0.05
Alex VlasicD000123:130.01-0.10
Wyatt KaiserD000222:360.08-0.15

Washington Capitals Skaters

PlayerPosGAPSOGTOIxGGame Score
Dylan StromeC101221:120.150.85
Ryan LeonardR101320:210.280.75
Ethen FrankC011414:200.190.74
Matt RoyD011218:430.030.69
Anthony BeauvillierL011320:070.450.64
Trevor van RiemsdykD011116:060.010.59
Connor McMichaelC000322:070.380.30
Martin FehérváryD000021:200.000.20
Alex OvechkinL000218:490.250.10
Brandon DuhaimeR000011:370.110.10
Sonny MilanoL00017:250.170.10
Tom WilsonR00005:550.000.10
John CarlsonD000523:530.140.05
Nic DowdC000019:090.150.05
Hendrix LapierreC00026:530.100.05
Justin SourdifR000420:510.400.05
Rasmus SandinD000020:100.00-0.05
Jakob ChychrunD000224:580.18-0.15

Goaltending

GoalieTeamSVSASV%GSAxDecision
Spencer KnightChicago Blackhawks323494.1%5.77W
Logan ThompsonWashington Capitals313393.9%4.47O

Analysis

The Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Washington Capitals 3–2 on Jan 03, 2026, a one-goal game.

Washington Capitals generated 5.44 expected goals to Chicago Blackhawks's 5.17 — Washington Capitals owned the better of the chances but Chicago Blackhawks 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.

Dylan Strome led all skaters with a Game Score of 0.85 on 1 goal, 2 shots on goal.

Spencer Knight stopped 32 of 34, worth 5.77 goals saved above expected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the Chicago Blackhawks vs Washington Capitals game?

The Chicago Blackhawks beat the Washington Capitals 3–2 on Jan 03, 2026.

What was the final score?

The final score was Chicago Blackhawks 3, Washington Capitals 2.

Who was the best player in this game?

By Game Score — a single-number summary of everything a skater did — Dylan Strome led all skaters at 0.85, on 1G, 0A and 2 shots on goal.

Which team deserved to win by expected goals?

Washington Capitals generated 5.44 expected goals and Chicago Blackhawks generated 5.17, so Washington Capitals created the better chances. The scoreboard went the other way, which points to finishing or goaltending.

What were the shot totals?

Chicago Blackhawks put 33 shots on goal and Washington Capitals put 34. High-danger chances went 13 to 19.

How did the goaltenders play?

Spencer Knight stopped 32 of 34 (5.77 goals saved above expected); Logan Thompson stopped 31 of 33 (4.47 goals saved above expected).