Talk about ruining the mood! What could have been the match to see the Capitals establish themselves as favorites for the 2025 Stanley Cup, instead saw the team fall flat on its face. On Friday, Washinton clinched the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference when Alex Ovechkin & Co. defeated the Hurricanes 5-4 at the Capital One Arena. But things turned shambolic once they hit the road just two days later, and the fans aren’t amused.

It’s been a season of dreams for the Russian history-maker. From racking up the most number of goals for the Capitals this season to becoming the highest goal-scorer in NHL history by surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s long-standing record, things have been blissful for Alex Ovechkin. Maybe that’s why the decision to bench him for the game against the Blue Jackets confounded fans as to Coach Carbery’s thought process. Now, after the dust has settled at the Nationwide Arena, fans couldn’t stop wailing about how Spencer’s boys should have taken things more seriously.

Columbus defeated the Capitals just hours ago tonight. While a loss is undoubtedly a part of the game, a 7-0 margin is never the desired outcome. Naturally, it was a blow to the stomach that wasn’t easy to endure. Even the official X handle of Ovechkin’s team couldn’t bear to spend more than a few words to share the final results from tonight’s match. “Back home tomorrow,” reads the Capitals’ social media update from April 12, as Alex Ovechkin and the rest of the squad gear up to greet the Blue Jackets once again.

Along with Alex Ovechkin, Coach Spencer also kept Dylan Strome and Charlie Lindgren off the ice. Defenseman Jakob Chychrun, who is on a career-high 20 goals and 47 points this season, was also a healthy scratch. With so many regular starters out of the team, maybe some fans had already braced themselves for a poor result. But even they weren’t ready for what was about to come the Capitals’ way. Naturally, after the match, fans had a thing or two to say.

The head coach probably wanted to give more play time to other players who haven’t had much time to show their mettle this season. But Columbus didn’t take any chances and went all-in for tonight’s game and battered the Alex Ovechkin-less Capitals where it hurts. For obvious reasons, one fan hoped that the same decision wouldn’t be repeated for tomorrow’s match. “Please play the same roster! We deserve the help!” the fan pleaded earnestly.

Capitals fans don’t want to go into battle without Alex Ovechkin again

Washington has already won the Eastern Conference. With that, they have also qualified for the 2025 playoffs and have a tough road ahead. With 109 points to their name, the team is looking firmly in command of their momentum. With that in mind, maybe Carbery’s call to give some of his best players, including Alex Ovechkin, a break was a strategic move. And yet, with the hefty loss, fans are now convinced that such a wild play shouldn’t be repeated again. “Don’t care who our goaltender was or how many players we rested. THAT was a pitiful effort. Period,” one fan grunted. “Embarrassing loss,” complained another.

Another fan thought Hunter Shepard, who got his first NHL start since being recalled from AHL Hershey, should really pull up his socks, especially considering he plays in a team that has a legend like Alex Ovechkin on the roster. “Goalie masterclass,” said the fan with a tone of sarcasm that was unmissable. At the Capitals’ last home game on Friday, the 39-year-old forward was bestowed with some truly expensive gifts to hail him for his record. Naturally, seeing how team owner Ted Leonsis had a pretty penny to spare for Alex, one fan claimed that the Monument Sports CEO should also take care of the fans. “Ted Leonsis owes me a refund,” the fan’s comment reads.

After Alex went past Gretzky’s record last Sunday, he justifiably went haywire. Ovie took a slide on the ice at the UBS Arena to celebrate, and his teammates soon joined to laud his feat. While the celebrations were worth it, some fans think that it might have also shifted focus from the task at hand. “I’m thinking the Washington Capitals drained all their dopamine during the past few day celebrating Ovechkin’s record braking goal,” posited one fan, and we are hard-pressed to agree! What about you? How do you think the Capitals and Alex Ovechkin will fare against the Blue Jackets tomorrow after today’s mindboggling defeat? Tell us in a comment!