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.