WASHINGTON — The Washington Capitals didn't like how Game 1 against the Carolina Hurricanes went. They'll look to be better and even up the series in Game 2 on Thursday.
Follow along with all the updates from Game 2 with our live blog here at The Hockey News, and share your thoughts on the game in the comments.
Final Thoughts:
Well, that was a tense game. But we knew this was how they'd play. Tonight, the Capitals came out and lit a fire under themselves. There was a spunk and fire in their play that wasn't there in Game 1. This is why Washington is the better team.
Big kudos to Tom Wilson...he truly led this team to victory tonight. Also, Logan Thompson was an absolute stud.
Wilson is my player of the game though. He did a great job driving the play and lighting that spark the Caps needed.
Look for Sammi's takeaways for her thoughts on the game, and I'll no doubt come back on Friday with my own opinions for you to peruse.
Thanks for reading!
Third Period
0:59 - Willie buries the empty netter. We'll go to Carolina tied up.
1:18 - BIG play by TVR to break up a Canes' 3-on-1. Caps need to get back to pressing the play forward. Feels like they're sort of just holding on.
Also interesting observation by Ray Ferraro of ESPN...Ovechkin not playing right now...Mangiapane in his place. Likely due to his speed. Empty net now.
5:02 - Take a deep breath and pray to the hockey gods...It was a long day at work today and I do not have the energy to cover this game into multiple overtimes 🤣
6:13 - What a defensive effort by McMichael there.
Caps are starting to get sloppier with their stretch passes and attempts to gain the zone. They need to get back to that mojo from the second period. They also can't settle on simple dump-ins and resetting. Don't give the Hurricanes a chance to get back possession and start a new rush. Keep pressing.
10:34 - Several big saves by Thompson on that penalty kill before a lucky bounce lets Gostisbehere bury it. 2-1 now.
11:24 - Long stretch played in the Caps' zone there. Good job keeping them on the perimeter and giving Thompson clear sight of the puck. Transitions quickly back to the Canes' end where Aho with a diving play to keep the Caps from a wrap around chance. Game stream interrupted briefly by a Geico ad.
Puck out of play by McMichael...Canes going back to the power play. Usually I say how much I hate that penalty, but McMichael swatted it out with his glove, sooooo....thats a penalty.
I just want to say that the Caps had a higher Corsi rating in the second period than the Canes did. That's saying a lot.
18:06 - Patient hockey :) beautiful passing play sets up Carlson for the power play goal. 2-0 Washington Capitals Ice hockey team
18:28 - early penalty by Brent Burns sends the Caps back to the power play.
Here we go. Deep breath...
Second Period
End of the Second:
Shots: Carolina - 11 / Washington - 16
Notes: MUCH...MUCH better period for Washington. They definitely had that dawg in them this period. Much more tenacity and started playing to their strengths. The McMichael goal was an absolute beaut.
Third period will be tough. Carolina will assuredly be back out with fire and pushing the play back towards Thompson. Capitals need to stand their ground and continue playing their game. Let them make mistakes and let them play recklessly.
1:02 - Scrum in front of Andersen almost leads to another goal. Capitals are absolutely feeling it right now.
2:48 - Wilson had a chance get denied whilst all alone in front of Andersen. Not their best PP but not terrible. Still 1-0 good guys.
4:52 - Mangiapane gets tackled by former Cap Dmitri Orlov, and the Caps will go back on the power play. Canes began to take the momentum back so hopefully the Capitals can tilt the ice back down towards Frederik.
6:15 - Caps (and the rest of us) survive the penalty kill. Worth noting that the Caps held Carolina to zero shots on that powerplay. That is a big, big deal.
8:15 - PLD with his second penalty of the night. Canes back to the PP
10:30 - Beauvillier...my guy...how do you miss that....
11:48 - Definitely getting under Carolina's skin now. Keep it clean and keep playing their game and the Caps should be able to even up this series. The stretch passes are beginning to connect, and they're figuring out ways to get behind the Canes' defense.
Deep breaths folks - this wasn't ever going to be easy.
16:00 - Caps definitely out with more grit this period, and especially after that McBeauty of a goal. Caps 3-2 when scoring first in the playoffs so far. Fingers crossed folks. Using the stretch passes better than game one too. They're figuring out this Canes team.
17:44 - Connor McMichael with the BIGGGGGGGGGG goal. Forced a turnover for the breakaway and the goal. THAT'S how they need to play the Canes. 1-0 good guys.
18:20 - No luck on the power play but the Caps still trying to keep the ice tilted down towards Andersen.
Caps start this one on the power play. They need to use this time to establish a forecheck and get some offensive zone time. Start cycling the puck and make quick, clean passes. Once they get the Canes moving, they'll find holes.
First Period
End of the First - Nice to see some life out of the Caps' offense there. Especially at the end of the period on the power play. Playing with more tenacity.
Shots: Carolina - 7 / Washington - 5
Thoughts: Carolina continued doing their thing, throwing 26 shot attempts at LT. It's worth noting that only 7 of those made it through. Capitals took 12 shot attempts, with five making it through. What's more concerning is the high danger chances...Carolina has a 5-1 lead in this category. But on a positive note, the Caps seemed to wake up in the final five minutes or so. They seemed to find their groove and get some good pressure on Andersen. Let's hope this carries into the second period.
0:37 - Holy crap -- that block by Wilson. Chatfield being Chatfield will send Washington to the power play late.
3:45 - The website didn't save my last post, so that's cool. Anyway, good pressure by the Caps now. Best pressure they've had against the Canes so far this series. They still need to clean up the passing.
6:55 - Big hit by Jordan Staal on Tom Wilson. Staal better hold his mouth guard closely
9:00 - Quiet crowd in D.C. tonight. Seems like everyone is on edge. Deep breath everyone...this is how the game will be played.
10:49 - Caps kill off a penalty by Dubois. Still scoreless. And I've finally got my technical difficulties ironed out. lol
14:25 - Hurricanes start off with about 175 shot attempts so far. Nothing too difficult for Thompson and the defense to turn away.
After some technical difficulties, I’m officially watching this.
How’s everyone feeling tonight? Comment below and let’s have some fun!
Pregame
6:30 — The Capitals will change up their combinations from their Game 5 win over the Montreal Canadiens, with Taylor Raddysh replacing Ryan Leonard. Logan Thompson starts with MItchell Gibson backing up. Charlie Lindgren is out for personal family reasons.
Logan Thompson starts.
Here are the combinations:
Alex Ovechkin-Dylan Strome-Aliaksei Protas
Connor McMichael-Pierre-Luc Dubois-Tom Wilson
Andrew Mangiapane-Lars Eller-Taylor Raddysh
Brandon Duhaime-Nic Dowd-Anthony Beauvillier
Jakob Chychrun-John Carlson
Rasmus Sandin-Matt Roy
Alex Alexeyev-Trevor van Riemsdyk
Logan Thompson
Mitchell Gibson