Cole Hutson's Overtime Winner Lifts Capitals
Washington visits New Jersey Thursday before the home-and-home series finishes at Capital One Arena Saturday.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Hockey
Capitals fans who stayed up Tuesday got a late one: Washington beat the Ottawa Senators 3-2 in overtime, with rookie defenseman Cole Hutson scoring the winner on his first NHL overtime goal. The win was reported in Ottawa, and the Capitals now head to New Jersey on Thursday.
Why it matters
For a team trying to keep pace in the East, an overtime road win over a divisional rival counts for more than one point in the standings. The result also puts a spotlight on Hutson, whose recent play has been one of the more encouraging stories on the blue line.
Hutson's line is the headline figure: 21 points in 30 career games, with six in his last five. Thompson's 25 saves and the 3-2 final are the other numbers that carry the night.
The players
Cole Hutson
Capitals defenseman whose first NHL overtime goal and assist decided Tuesday's game against Ottawa.
Washington Capitals
The NHL club, based in Washington, that won 3-2 in overtime against the Ottawa Senators.
Ottawa Senators
The NHL club that lost 3-2 in overtime to the Capitals on Tuesday.
Logan Thompson
Capitals goalie who made 25 saves in the win over Ottawa.
Alex Ovechkin
Capitals forward who assisted on Hutson's overtime goal.
The details
Matt Roy scored in the first period for Washington, and Pierre-Luc Dubois tied the game in the third before Hutson's overtime winner, which came after Alex Ovechkin set it up. Hutson also assisted on the tying goal, so he was involved at both ends of the game's key moments. The Capitals visit the New Jersey Devils on Thursday, and the home-and-home series finishes at Capital One Arena on Saturday.
Timeline
Oct. 17: Capitals won the first meeting of the season 4-2 in Washington.
Tuesday: Capitals beat the Senators 3-2 in overtime in Ottawa.
Thursday: Capitals visit the New Jersey Devils.
Saturday: The home-and-home series with New Jersey concludes in Washington.
The District View
Tuesday's win follows the Capitals' 4-2 victory over Ottawa on Oct. 17, and together the two results give Washington the season series lead heading into the Thursday game in New Jersey. For fans who followed the club through the rebuild years, Hutson's rise is the kind of development the franchise has been waiting on.
If you're heading to Capital One Arena Saturday, expect a home-and-home rematch with the Devils and plan for the usual downtown traffic around Gallery Place and Chinatown. Hutson's emergence also means more ice time on the back end for fans to watch as the season goes on.
The takeaway
Hutson's overtime goal gave Washington a road win that matters in a tight Eastern race, and his recent scoring is worth tracking. Watch the Thursday game in New Jersey, and keep an eye on Saturday's home finale at Capital One Arena.
What happens next
The Capitals visit the New Jersey Devils on Thursday, and the home-and-home series concludes at Capital One Arena on Saturday.
Further reading
For more on the team's season, check the Hockey section for Capitals coverage and league standings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WJOX-FM.
