WASHINGTON (AP) — Pierre-Luc Dubois scored in his first game since Halloween, Jakob Chychrun added a pair of goals and the Washington Capitals beat the Nashville Predators 4-2 on Thursday night.
Logan Thompson returned in goal from an injury of his own and made several sparkling saves, and the Capitals won for the fourth time in five games entering the Olympic break. Tom Wilson, who is on Canada's roster for those Olympics, also scored for the Caps.
Jonathan Marchessault and Michael McCarron scored for Nashville, which had its five-game points streak snapped.
Dubois had no points in his first six games this season and underwent surgery on injuries to his abdominal and adductor muscles. He hadn't played since Oct. 31.
Wilson opened the scoring for Washington, and then Dubois made it 2-0. The flashiest goal belonged to Chychrun, however. The defenseman left Nashville's Tyson Jost behind with a 360-degree spin near the boards, then entered the offensive zone and scored.
Thompson, also headed to the Olympics for Canada, stopped Marchessault when he and Erik Haula came in on a two-man breakaway in the second. Marchessault did score later that period when Haula's deflection bounced in off his left skate.
Washington's Nic Dowd had a goal called back on an offside review in the first minute of the third period, and then McCarron scored almost immediately afterward. Chychrun restored a two-goal advantage when he beat goalie Justus Annunen on the power play.
Barry Trotz, who recently announced he'll be retiring as general manager of the Predators, received a standing ovation from the Washington fans. He coached the Capitals to the Stanley Cup in 2018.
Predators: Host Chicago on Feb. 26.
Capitals: Host Philadelphia on Feb. 25.
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Nashville Predators center Jonathan Marchessault, right, celebrates his goal with left wing Erik Haula (56) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Capitals left wing Pierre-Luc Dubois (80) celebrates his goal with defenseman John Carlson (74) during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson stops the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
LONDON (AP) — Enzo Fernandez's agent called Chelsea's decision to drop the midfielder “completely unfair” on Friday.
Fernandez was banished from the next two games — the FA Cup quarterfinal against Port Vale on Saturday and the Premier League match with Manchester City next weekend — Chelsea coach Liam Rosenior confirmed on Friday.
The sanction was in response to Fernandez telling a podcast this week that he would like to live in Madrid. There's speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid even though he's contracted to Chelsea to 2031.
Fernandez's agent Javier Pastore said the Argentina international does not understand the decision.
“The punishment is completely unfair,” Pastore told The Athletic. "Banning the player for two matches, which moreover are also absolutely crucial for Chelsea because qualification for the Champions League is at stake and he is one of the team's most important players.
"There's no real reason or justification for why he has been banned. Enzo didn't understand the situation. When the coach told him he accepted it because he's a highly professional guy who's always fully committed wherever he is and respects decisions, but we don’t understand the punishment because he doesn't mention any club or say he wants to leave Chelsea, far from it. He only mentions Madrid, the city.
“Our plan after the World Cup is to meet with Chelsea again and, if there is no agreement, to explore other options.”
Rosenior said he was part of the club's decision.
“It’s disappointing for Enzo to speak that way. I’ve got no bad words to say about him but a line was crossed in terms of our culture and what we want to build,” Rosenior said.
“Enzo, firstly, as a character, a person and a player, I have the utmost respect. He’s frustrated because he wants us to be successful. The door is not closed on Enzo. It’s a sanction. You have to protect the culture, and in terms of that, a line was crossed.”
Fernandez joined Chelsea for a then-British record 107 million pounds ($142 million) in 2023 and was appointed vice-captain the following year.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
FILE - Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez holds the ball during the English League Cup semifinal second leg soccer match between Arsenal and Chelsea in London, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)
Argentina's Enzo Fernandez celebrates scoring his side's opening goal against Mauritania during a friendly match in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Friday, March 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)
