The Washington Capitals are set to face the San Jose Sharks on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at the SAP Center in San Jose, California. The puck drops at 5:00 PM EST, and the game will be broadcast on NBCS-CA, MNMT, and ESPN+.
Team Form and Standings
- Washington Capitals: The Capitals are having an outstanding season with a 43-15-8 record, sitting atop the Metropolitan Division. Despite a recent 3-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings, which snapped their five-game winning streak, Washington remains one of the league’s most dominant teams. They boast the NHL’s highest-scoring offense, averaging 3.61 goals per game, and a defense that allows just 2.59 goals per game, ranking third in the league.
- San Jose Sharks: The Sharks, in contrast, are enduring a difficult season with a 18-40-9 record, placing them at the bottom of the Pacific Division. However, they are coming off a morale-boosting 4-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks, where rookie Collin Graf scored twice. San Jose has been inconsistent but has shown flashes of competitiveness, going 3-3-0 in their last six games.
Key Players to Watch
- Washington Capitals:
- Alex Ovechkin: The Capitals’ captain is chasing history, needing just nine goals to surpass Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL scoring record of 894 goals. Ovechkin has 886 career goals and remains a focal point of Washington’s offense.
- Dylan Strome: Strome has been a key playmaker, contributing 20 goals and 44 assists this season.
- Logan Thompson: Expected to start in goal, Thompson holds a 28-4-5 record with a 2.36 goals-against average (GAA) and a .916 save percentage.
- San Jose Sharks:
- Collin Graf: The undrafted rookie has been a bright spot for the Sharks, scoring twice in their recent win over Chicago.
- William Eklund: Eklund has shown promise, contributing 15 goals and 22 assists this season.
- Alexandar Georgiev: Likely to start in net, Georgiev has struggled with a 13-22-1 record, a 3.59 GAA, and an .876 save percentage.
Matchup Insights
- The Sharks lead the season series 1-0, having defeated the Capitals 2-1 in overtime on December 3, 2024. Alexandar Georgiev made 24 saves in that game, while Logan Thompson allowed just one regulation goal.
- Washington’s power play ranks among the league’s best, converting at 25.8%, while San Jose’s penalty kill has been a weakness, ranking 29th at 73.2%.
- The Capitals have been strong on the road, with a 22-8-2 record, while the Sharks have struggled at home, going 10-20-2.
Injuries and Lineups
- Washington Capitals: The Capitals are relatively healthy, with no major injuries reported. Logan Thompson is expected to start in goal.
- San Jose Sharks: The Sharks will be without JJ Peterka (lower body) and Josh Norris (undisclosed). Alexandar Georgiev is likely to start in net.
