Tuch scores twice in his first game for Washington, helping the Capitals beat the Hurricanes 5-2
Washington Capitals' Alex Tuch (89) and Pierre-Luc Dubois, right, watch a replay of a goal as Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Brandon Bussi (32) and Sean Walker, center bottom, react during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. Credit: AP/Karl B DeBlaker
RALEIGH, N.C. — Alex Tuch scored twice in his first game for Washington, Alex Ovechkin opened his 22nd NHL season with an assist and the Capitals beat the Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes 5-2 on Friday night.
Tuch joined the Capitals in an offseason trade after five seasons with Buffalo. The 41-year-old Ovechkin assisted on Tuch's opening goal in Washington's three-goal first period.
Cole Hutson, Jakob Chychrun and Ryan Leonard also scored for the Capitals, and Logan Thompson made 31 saves.
Sebastian Aho and Logan Stankoven scored for Carolina, and Brandon Bussi stopped 22 shots. The Hurricanes opened Tuesday night at home with a 1-0 overtime loss to Florida.
Tuch opened the scoring at 6:33 of the first period, beating Busso with a wrist shot. Hutson scored on a snap shot with 8:27 left in the period, and Tuch connected on a backhander with 5:37 to go.
Jakob Chychrun made it 4-0 on a power play at 1:36 of second.
Aho got one back for Carolina on a power play with 3:10 left in the second, and Leonard made it 5-1 eight seconds later. Stankoven scored midway through the third.
Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin (8) smiles as he picks up the puck for Alex Tuch (not shown) between Carolina Hurricanes' Jaccob Slavin (74) and goaltender Brandon Bussi (32) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. Credit: AP/Karl B DeBlaker
Up next
Capitals: At Tampa Bay on Saturday night.
Hurricanes: At Philadelphia on Saturday night.
