STEPHEN WHYNO

Washington Capitals defenseman Rasmus Sandin (38) tries to knock the puck away from Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) in the second period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Draisaitl has 2 goals and McDavid 4 points as the Oilers end the Capitals’ 5-game winning streak

Leon Draisaitl scored twice, Connor McDavid had four assists and the Edmonton Oilers ended their three-game losing streak by beating the Washington Capitals 5-0.

Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) looks on from the bench during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche, Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

Wild’s Fleury wears mask in warmups on Native American Heritage night after the NHL says not to

Marc-Andre Fleury wore a mask for warmups on the Minnesota Wild’s Native American Heritage night after being told by the NHL that was not allowed.

FILE - Washington Commanders defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, in Foxborough, Mass. The Washington Commanders have fired defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio and defensive backs coach Brent Vieselmeyer. Del Rio was 12 games into his fourth season with the team. The moves made Friday, Nov. 24, come after the Commanders lost 45-10 at Dallas on Thursday. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

Commanders fire defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio after losing to the Cowboys

The Washington Commanders have fired defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio and defensive backs coach Brent Vieselmeyer.

The Washington Capitals celebrate a 4-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets after an NHL hockey game in Washington, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

The Washington Capitals are one of the NHL’s hottest teams. Their penalty kill is a big reason why

The Washington Capitals are one of the hottest teams in the NHL despite Alex Ovechkin scoring just five goals this season and the power play clicking at a league-worst 7%.

Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) walks back to the team bench near the end of the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Commanders are 4-7 after another humiliating loss. It’s not getting any easier with Cowboys up next

The Washington Commanders became the first team since 1984 to lose a game by double digits when registering nine or more sacks.

New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito (15) scrambles out of the pocket as he is chased by Washington Commanders defensive end Casey Toohill (95) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Giants QB Tommy DeVito throws 3 TD passes in his first NFL win

Tommy DeVito got his chicken parm sandwich, then he got his first NFL win. The undrafted rookie quarterback threw three touchdown passes to help the New York Giants beat the Washington Commanders 31-19 to snap a three-game losing streak.

Howell has 3 interceptions among 6 Commanders turnovers in their 31-19 loss to the last-place Giants

The New York Giants beat the Washington Commanders 31-19 to snap a three-game losing streak. The Commanders lost for the seventh time in nine games after opening the season with back-to-back victories.

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) shoots the puck around Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Washington, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Ovechkin scores his 827th goal as the Capitals hand the Blue Jackets their 8th consecutive loss

Alex Ovechkin scored the 827th goal of his NHL career to help the Washington Capitals beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-3.

Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. (8) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the New York Giants during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Commanders are looking to get back on track when they host the struggling Giants

The Washington Commanders hope to get on track and back in the playoff hunt when they host the struggling New York Giants on Sunday.

Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) passes in the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Sam Howell is the NFL’s leading passer through 10 weeks. The Commanders hope he’s their long-term QB

Sam Howell is the NFL’s leading passer with 2,783 yards, and his 264 completions are also the most of any quarterback through the first 10 weeks of the season.

Washington Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren (79) defends the net against Vegas Golden Knights center William Karlsson (71) in the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Lindgren makes 35 saves as the Capitals shut out the defending champion Golden Knights 3-0

Charlie Lindgren made 35 saves to help the Washington Capitals shut out the defending Stanley Cup champion and NHL-best Vegas Golden Knights 3-0.

Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov reacts after a hit to the head in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Vegas Golden Knights, Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Vegas’ Paul Cotter ejected for an illegal check to the head of Washington’s Evgeny Kuznetsov

Vegas Golden Knights forward Paul Cotter was ejected for an illegal check to the head of Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov during the teams’ game Tuesday night.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) avoids a tackle against Washington Commanders cornerback Danny Johnson (36) in the first half of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Commanders’ defense disappoints Magic Johnson for contributing to a loss that dropped them to 4-6

Magic Johnson was among those disappointed in how the Washington Commanders’ defense played in a 29-26 loss at Seattle that dropped them to 4-6.

President Joe Biden holds a jersey during an event to celebrate the Vegas Golden Knights in their 2023 Stanley Cup victory in the East Room of the White House, Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Biden honors Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights in the return of an NHL tradition

President Joe Biden has honored the Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights in a ceremony at the White House.

Edmonton Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft, center, stands on the team bench during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks, in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Nov. 6, 2023. Woodcroft is out as coach of the Oilers after the supposed Stanley Cup contenders lost 10 of their first 13 games this season. Woodcroft was fired Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023. Kris Knoblauch, Connor McDavid's junior hockey coach, was named Woodcroft's replacement, and Hall of Famer Paul Coffey joins his staff as an assistant. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

Edmonton Oilers fire coach Jay Woodcroft and name Kris Knoblauch the replacement

The Edmonton Oilers have fired coach Jay Woodcroft after a team that was supposed to be a Stanley Cup contender lost 10 of its first 13 games.

Florida Panthers defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson, left, celebrates with defenseman Gustav Forsling, after scoring in the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Reinhart scores 15 seconds into overtime as the Panthers rally to beat the Capitals 4-3

Sam Reinhart scored 15 seconds into overtime to give the Florida Panthers a 4-3 victory at the Washington Capitals.

Boston Bruins goaltenders Jeremy Swayman, left, and Linus Ullmark react after an NHL hockey game against the Dallas Stars, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Dallas. The Bruins won 3-2. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Hot starts by Vegas and Boston and a historically bad start for San Jose are among early NHL trends

Some early trends are showing in the NHL. Alex Ovechkin has matched his slowest 10-game start and needs to pick things up in his pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s career goals record.

Washington Commanders safety Jartavius Martin, top right, intercepts a pass intended for New England Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, center, as Commanders cornerback Kendall Fuller, left, defends in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Commanders rookies are starting to make an impact midway through the NFL season

The Washington Commanders are finally starting to get meaningful contributions from their rookies midway through the season.

FILE - Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom during an opening night NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Friday, Oct. 13, 2023, in Washington. Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan says it's unlikely Backstrom plays again this season. Backstrom stepped away from the NHL team last week amid his ongoing struggles with his surgically repaired left hip. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

Nicklas Backstrom is unlikely to play again this season, Capitals GM Brian MacLellan says

Washington Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan says it’s unlikely Nicklas Backstrom plays again this season.

New York Islanders center Brock Nelson (29), left, is congratulated by left wing Pierre Engvall, right, after scoring in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Islanders end the Capitals’ winning streak at 3 with a 3-0 shutout

Ryan Pulock, Simon Holmstrom and Brock Nelson scored on three of the Islanders’ first five shots and New York beat the Washington Capitals 3-0.

FILE - Boston Bruins' David Pastrnak kneels on the ice during a timeout in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Dallas Stars in Boston, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020. The death of American hockey player Adam Johnson from a cut to the neck in England has reignited the debate over skate blade safety. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)

Death of a player from a skate to the neck reignites hockey’s stubborn debate over protective gear

The death of American hockey player Adam Johnson from a cut to the neck in England has reignited the debate over skate blade safety.

Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. is shown Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023. The 2024 NHL Stadium Series will take place outdoors at MetLife Stadium Feb. 17-18, 2024. The NHL is envisioning doing the same thing Taylor Swift did over the summer: sell out 82,000-seat MetLife Stadium multiple times when the New York Rangers and Islanders and then the New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia Flyers face off at the home of the NFL’s Jets and Giants. (AP Photo/Stephen Whyno)

The NHL is trying to follow Taylor Swift’s lead by selling out MetLife Stadium multiple times

The NHL is envisioning doing the same thing Taylor Swift did over the summer: selling out 82,000-seat MetLife Stadium multiple times.

The Pittsburgh Penguins and Anaheim Ducks gather at center ice, before an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Monday, Oct. 30, 2023, to honor former Penguin player Adam Johnson, shown on scoreboard, who died in while playing in an English hockey league game. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Player’s death from a skate cut to the neck in England leads to more NHL talks on cut protection

The death of American hockey player Adam Johnson has led officials in the NHL and other leagues to continue discussions about cut-resistant protection.

FILE - Washington Commanders defensive end Montez Sweat (90) walks to the locker room during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023, in Atlanta. The Chicago Bears acquired pass rusher Montez Sweat from the Washington Commanders for a 2024 second-round draft pick, a person with knowledge of the trade told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Tuesday, Oct. 31, because neither team had announced the deal. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)

Commanders jump-start rebuild by trading Chase Young to the 49ers and Montez Sweat to the Bears

The Washington Commanders have traded Montez Sweat to the Chicago Bears for a 2024 second-round pick and Chase Young to the San Francisco 49ers for a third-rounder next year.

Gallaudet head coach Chuck Goldstein, center, uses American Sign Language to communicate with players during an NCAA college football game against Hilbert College, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Washington. Since arriving at Gallaudet as an assistant in 2009 just as his next job, Goldstein has embraced coaching a team of deaf and hard-of-hearing players and the adjustments that go with it. He learned ASL as the primary method of communication. During games, he still worries about opponents being injured because his players can't hear whistles. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

From inventing the huddle to trying a new helmet, Gallaudet is home to a proud football tradition

Gallaudet University has a football tradition that dates to the late 19th century. A new helmet that helps deaf and hard-of-hearing players see play calls where hearing opponents can hear them is just the latest example of the team being at the center of innovation.

A football helmet developed by Gallaudet University with AT&T for Deaf and hard-of-hearing players is seen during Gallaudet football practice at Hotchkiss Field in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. The innovation is the latest example of the private university for the Deaf and hard of hearing in Washington being an incubator for technology that makes sports and life more inclusive. The way the helmet works by replacing audio with visual cues could also have far-reaching applications into the real world. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Gallaudet has a history of technological innovation with wide applications. The latest is a helmet

Gallaudet University and AT&T developed a football helmet for Deaf and hard-of-hearing players that they hope can make the sport more accessible.

Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera pauses while speaking to members of the media at the end of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, in Landover, Md. Eagles won 38-31. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Commanders’ 5th loss in 6 games exposes flaws in their makeup, especially on defense

The Washington Commanders’ fifth loss in their last six games exposed some flaws in their overall makeup.

FILE - Former Washington Senators player Frank Howard grips a baseball bat during a pregame ceremony at Nationals Park, Aug. 26, 2016, in Washington. Former major leaguer Howard has died at the age of 87. A spokesperson for the Washington Nationals confirmed the team was informed of Howard's death Monday, Oct. 30, 2023, by his family. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)

Frank Howard, former All-Star, home run champ and World Series winner, dies at 87

Former major leaguer Frank Howard has died at the age of 87. A spokesperson for the Washington Nationals confirmed the team was informed of Howard’s death Monday by his family.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) throwing the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Hurts throws for 4 TDs on injured knee to help the Eagles beat the Commanders and improve to 7-1

Jalen Hurts threw for four touchdown passes on an injured left knee to help the Philadelphia Eagles improve to 7-1 with a 38-31 victory at the Washington Commanders.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) escapes the tackle from Miami Dolphins linebacker David Long Jr. (51) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

With Hurts playing through pain, Eagles could put pressure on Howell when they visit the Commanders

Jalen Hurts is expected to start for the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday at the Washington Commanders despite an injured left knee.