The Carolina Hurricanes began their much-anticipated, second round Stanley Cup Playoff Series against the Washington Capitals on Tuesday, May 6 in our nation’s capital.
Both Carolina and Washington dominated their opening-round series. The Canes largely dominated the New Jersey Devils in five games, while the Caps largely dominated the Montreal Canadiens.
Neither Carolina or Washington dominated Tuesday night on the scoresheet, but Carolina looked the far better team. The Canes won a much-needed Game 1, 2-1, just three minutes into overtime thanks to a Jaccob Slavin point shot.
Carolina defenseman Dmitry Orlov, a former Capital himself, passed the puck behind the net to winter Jordan Martinook. The Canes’ fan favorite then sent the puck towards Slavin, who sent a wrister through traffic, that trickled just under the right pad of Washington goalie Logan Thompson.
Carolina outshot its Metro Division rivals 33-14, with the Caps never able to generate consistent offensive momentum. The Canes’ aggressive, shot-heavy attack finally paid off midway through the third period, when midseason trade acquisition Logan Stankoven scored his third postseason goal.
After a Washington turnover, Carolina center Jesperi Kotkaniemi collected the puck at his stick. Kotkaniemi sent the puck to Stankoven, who blasted a shot from between the faceoff circles, just right of Thompson.
Washington’s lone goal came just four minutes into the second period, when center Aliaksei Protas blasted a wrister past Canes goalie Frederik Andersen. Though he didn’t face many shots in goal, Andersen saved 13 Capitals shots, with his most impactful coming on a third-period breakway.
When do Carolina and Washington play again?
The Canes and Caps will battle again, this time in Game 2, on Thursday, May 8 in Washington D.C. Opening faceoff is set for 7 p.m.
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