Sports
Capitals rally for convincing win over Islanders
Feb 2, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; New York Islanders left wing Anthony Duclair (11) controls the puck defended by Washington Capitals defenseman Martin Fehervary (42) during the second period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Hannah Foslien-Imagn Images Martin Fehervary and Anthony Beauvillier scored 31 seconds apart in the second period, and rookie Clay Stevenson stopped 31 shots, as the Washington Capitals rallied for a 4-1 victory over the visiting New York Islanders on Monday night.
Nic Dowd recorded a goal with an assist and John Carlson added an empty-netter for the Capitals, who are in the mix for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and won three straight amid a 4-1-1 stretch.
Stevenson, meanwhile, was undeniably stout in his second consecutive start, the third of his career, as Washington continues to deal with injuries to regulars Logan Thompson and backup Charlie Lindgren.
Mathew Barzal scored for the Islanders, who have dropped two in a row following a three-game winning streak. David Rittich made 20 saves for New York, which lost three of the four meetings with Washington this season.
New York outshot the hosts 12-6 during the first 20 minutes and opened the scoring with 3:22 left in the first period. Off a careless pass by Washington star Tom Wilson in his own zone, an open Barzal collected the puck in the slot and beat Stevenson.
From there, the Washington defense and Stevenson, who was called up from Hershey of the AHL last week, managed to limit the Islanders’ high-quality chances the rest of the night.
Wilson redeemed himself and helped the Capitals level the contest when he played give-and-go with Fehervary, whose shot was too quick for Rittich to handle at 5:29 into the second period. Less than one minute later, Washington went ahead for good via ex-Islander Beauvillier’s brilliant wraparound that found an opening between Rittich and the post.
The Capitals added on at 8:46 into the third period, thanks to some good fortune. Dowd, who assisted on Fehervary’s goal, sent the puck from the side toward the net, where it glanced off New York’s Tony DeAngelo and past an unsuspecting Rittich for a 3-1 Washington advantage.
Coupled with Saturday’s 4-3 overtime victory against Carolina, Washington has won two straight at home for the first time since Nov. 28 and Dec. 7.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Nuggets trade F Hunter Tyson to Nets, get luxury-tax relief
Jan 18, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Hunter Tyson (5) dribbles in the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images The Denver Nuggets traded Hunter Tyson to the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday, shedding what remains of the forward’s $2.2 million in salary this season to get the team under the luxury tax.
The Nuggets also sent a 2032 second-round draft pick to the Nets while getting back the less favorable of a 2026 second-round pick of the Los Angeles Clippers or Atlanta Hawks that is owned by Brooklyn.
Tyson, 25, was immediately waived by the Nets. He averaged 2.2 points with 1.7 rebounds in 21 games (two starts) for Denver this season. In three seasons with the Nuggets, he averaged 2.2 points with 1.4 rebounds over 90 games (four starts).
Tyson is in the third year of a four-year, $7.6 million contract ($5.2 million guaranteed), although the fourth season is a club option.
The Nets also waived forward Tyrese Martin. The 26-year-old UConn product averaged 7.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 37 games (six starts) this season.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Hurricanes' Brandon Bussi hands Rangers another home blanking
Feb 5, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Brandon Bussi (32) makes a save against New York Rangers left wing J.T. Miller (8) during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images Rookie Brandon Bussi made 16 saves in a successful homecoming as the visiting Carolina Hurricanes extended their points streak to 10 games with a 2-0 victory over the New York Rangers Thursday night in the final game before the Olympic break.
Andrei Svechnikov scored early as Hurricanes improved to 8-0-2 in their past 10 and earned their second shutout win on the Rangers’ home ice this season.
A Long Island, N.Y., native, Bussi won his seventh straight game and improved to 23-3-1 since joining the Hurricanes as a waiver claim from the Florida Panthers on Oct. 5.
Bussi was rarely tested, but he delivered a left pad save on J.T. Miller midway through the second period and denied Will Cuylle on a partial breakaway six minutes into the third to highlight his second career shutout.
The Hurricanes had plenty of chances to turn the contest into a blowout, but New York goalie Jonathan Quick made a season-high 41 saves. Carolina finished its latest victory with 86 shot attempts and improved to 7-1-0 in its past eight games against the Rangers.
Jordan Staal added an empty-net tally in the final minute for the Hurricanes, who earned their third shutout of the season.
A day after trading Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings as part of their retooling attempt, the Rangers dropped their fourth straight. New York fell to 6-15-4 at home and was blanked for the seventh time in front of its frustrated fans, who were heard chanting for GM Chris Drury to be fired on a few occasions.
Svechnikov scored the only goal Bussi needed 6:26 into the contest thanks to defensive pressure by teammate Mark Jankowski deep in the offensive zone.
Jankowski forced New York defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov into the giveaway in the right circle. The puck went to Svechnikov, who walked into the slot unimpeded and sent a shot from between the circles past Quick’s left arm.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Lakers' Luka Doncic headed for MRI on sore left hamstring
Feb 5, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) looks on in the first half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images Lakers guard Luka Doncic will have an MRI on his left hamstring after getting hurt in the second quarter of Los Angeles’ Thursday game against the visiting Philadelphia 76ers, coach JJ Redick said.
The injury occurred with just under four minutes remaining in the first half during a Lakers possession. Doncic remained in the game before departing with 3:03 left in the half. The team officially ruled him out for the rest of the game late in the third quarter due to what it stated was left leg soreness.
After the Lakers finished a 119-115 win without the star guard, Redick said, “Yeah, he felt some soreness in his hamstring, so he didn’t feel like it was good enough to go back in. Neither did medical, so we held him out. And he’ll get some imaging. I mean, too early to say if there’s an injury, but just had a sore hamstring.”
In 16 minutes of play against the 76ers, Doncic compiled 10 points, four rebounds and two assists, plus five turnovers, including one on the play when he was injured.
Doncic, who has missed eight games this season, entered with an NBA-best average of 33.4 points per game to go along with 7.9 rebounds and 8.7 assists over his first 41 contests.
The Lakers were playing their first game at home in more than two weeks after completing a 5-3 road trip.
–Field Level Media
Nuggets trade F Hunter Tyson to Nets, get luxury-tax relief
Hurricanes' Brandon Bussi hands Rangers another home blanking
