Jared McCann's 4-point effort propels Kraken past Capitals

Field Level Media|published: Wed 28th January, 01:07 2026

Jan 27, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Kraken center Matty Beniers (10) and Seattle Kraken left wing Jared McCann (19) celebrate a goal scored by McCann during the second period against the Washington Capitals at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Jared McCann scored twice and added two assists as the Seattle Kraken defeated the visiting Washington Capitals 5-1 on Tuesday.

Jordan Eberle and Matty Beniers each had a goal and an assist, Ryker Evans scored and Philipp Grubauer made 19 saves for the Kraken, who improved to 3-2-0 on a six-game homestand that concludes Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Alex Ovechkin scored and Logan Thompson stopped 27 shots for the Capitals, who are 1-3-1 on a six-game trip that wraps up Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings.

McCann appeared to net his second career hat trick on a breakaway at 1:27 of the third period. However, after hats rained down on the ice, officials announced they were reviewing a possible high-sticking double minor against Beniers before the goal was scored. After a lengthy review, the penalty stood and McCann's goal was wiped off the board.

Ovechkin scored at 2:30 on the ensuing power play -- a tap-in at the left post off a pass across the top of the crease from Ryan Leonard -- to pull the Capitals within 3-1. It was Ovechkin's 22nd goal of the season and the 919th of his 21-year career, adding to his all-time NHL record.

Evans restored Seattle's three-goal lead at 13:12 as his centering pass went off the skate of Washington's Tom Wilson and into the Capitals' net.

Beniers took a pass from McCann and skated alone down the right wing before beating Thompson with a wrist shot to the stick side at 16:27 to cap the scoring.

After a scoreless first period, the Kraken tallied three times in the second.

The first came at 1:15 on the power play. The Kraken worked the puck to Eberle low on the left wing, and he sent a pass across the slot for a one-timer by McCann from the top of the right faceoff circle that beat a screened Thompson.

At 10:09, Ryan Lindgren's shot from the left point was knocked down by a defenseman and fell to Beniers in the slot. Beniers' shot was kicked aside by Thompson, but McCann was alone near the right post to pot the rebound.

McCann nearly completed a natural hat trick late in the middle frame. Adam Larsson's stretch pass found Eberle, who skated over the blue line and left a drop pass for McCann at the top of the left circle. McCann's shot rang off the left post, but Eberle tapped the rebound into the net at 17:54 for a 3-0 lead.

--Field Level Media