The Capitals are back in town for Game 1 of the second round. (Geoff Burke — Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/a032646d-9aab-49c9-a189-d1727527bac2.jpeg] The Capitals are back in town for Game 1 of the second round. (Geoff Burke — Imagn Images) WASHINGTON — The Washington Capitals are back for more playoff hockey and return to the second round for the first time in seven years as they face the Carolina Hurricanes in a best-of-seven series. Follow along with all the updates from Game 1 with our live blog here at The Hockey News, and share your thoughts on the game in the comments. OVERTIME 16:54 — Jaccob Slavin wins it in OT. THIRD PERIOD 17:32 — Just as the Washington power play ends, Alex Ovechkin called for a slash on the backcheck. Capitals to the penalty kill. 19:33 — Capitals to the power play. Jackson Blake tripped up Pierre-Luc Dubois. 20:00 — Back for the final 20. SECOND PERIOD 0:00 — After a hard siege from Carolina in the final minutes of the second, the Capitals hold on to lead 1-0 after Protas' goal. Hurricanes up 20-11 in shots on goal, and Washington needs to lock in going into the third. 7:44 — Alex Ovechkin levels Seth Jarvis and Jordan Staal as first line generates some offense. No dice, though. 16:07 — Aliaksei Protas opens the scoring, calling his own number on an odd-man rush after a great zone exit. Capitals lead 1-0. 20:00 — Back for more. FIRST PERIOD 0:00 — After 20, Capitals and Hurricanes tied 0-0. Carolina up 13-6 in shots on goal. A bit to clean up for Washington in the final 40. 2:47 — Big kill, and Capital One Arena is loud. 4:47 — Capitals to the penalty kill, Brandon Duhaime for a hold. 10:58 — Nothing on that opportunity, score remains 0-0. 12:58 — Capitals will head to a critical first power play after a flurry of chances for Carolina and extended zone time for the Hurricanes, as Sebastian Aho catches Alex Alexeyev up high. Washington with seven blocks so far. 16:08 — Tom Wilson sets the tone with a monster shift. Two big hits on Dmitry Orlov and Jalen Chatfield, a monster shot block then gives Sebastian Aho a shove to let him know he's there on the way to the bench. 20:00 — The game is underway. Capitals Game 1 starters: Duhaime-Dowd-Protas Rasmus Sandin-Matt Roy Logan Thompson PREGAME 6:30 — The Capitals will stick with the same combinations from their Game 5 win over the Montreal Canadiens, with Aliaksei Protas still getting his legs back under him. Logan Thompson starts. Here are the combinations: Alex Ovechkin-Dylan Strome-Anthony Beauvillier Connor McMichael-Pierre-Luc Dubois-Tom Wilson Andrew Mangiapane-Lars Eller-Ryan Leonard Brandon Duhaime-Nic Dowd-Aliaksei Protas Rasmus Sandin-Matt Roy Alex Alexeyev-Trevor van Riemsdyk Logan Thompson Charlie Lindgren 6:10 p.m. — Walked past the Capitals sewer ball group. The vibes are immaculate for the group.
