Capitals Even Series with 3-1 Win Over Hurricanes

Washington Capitals tie series 1-1 with 3-1 win over Carolina Hurricanes in Game 2, behind standout performances from Tom Wilson and goalie Logan Thompson. Next game is May 10 in Carolina.

The Washington Capitals evened the series 1-1 against the Carolina Hurricanes with a 3-1 win in Game 2. The Capitals' victory was fueled by strong performances from Tom Wilson and goalie Logan Thompson. Wilson scored a goal and an assist, including an empty-net goal that sealed the win, while Thompson made 27 saves to backstop the Capitals.

Game Recap by Period:

• First Period: The Hurricanes controlled the tempo, outshooting the Capitals 7-5 and out-hitting them 9-8. Physical play was evident, with Tom Wilson and Jordan Staal delivering hits that sparked tension between the teams.
• Second Period: The Capitals' Connor McMichael scored the game's first goal on a breakaway, capitalizing on a mistake by Carolina's Sean Walker. The Capitals outshot the Hurricanes 11-4 in the period and led 1-0 after 40 minutes.
• Third Period: John Carlson extended the Capitals' lead with a power-play goal, breaking Carolina's streak of 19 consecutive penalty kills. Shayne Gostisbehere scored a power-play goal for the Hurricanes, but it was too little, too late. Wilson's empty-net goal sealed the Capitals' 3-1 victory.
• Next Game: The series now shifts to Raleigh for Game 3 on May 10, with the puck drop scheduled for 6 p.m. Eastern. The Hurricanes will look to bounce back and retake the series lead, while the Capitals aim to build on their momentum.

Dull Opening Period

The first period was underwhelming, with both teams combining for just 12 shots on goal and failing to capitalize on their lone power plays. The Carolina Hurricanes initially dominated, outshooting the Washington Capitals 7-5, similar to Game 1. However, the period lacked excitement, with commercials proving to be a notable highlight.

HEADED TO RALEIGH TIED#CapsCanes | #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/luzOVvnhWf

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) May 9, 2025

Momentum Shift

The Capitals dominated the second period, outshooting the Hurricanes 11-4. Connor McMichael scored a highlight-reel goal, completing a beautiful breakaway with a top-shelf finish, marking his fourth playoff goal. This momentum shift gave the Capitals a much-needed boost.

The Capitals outshot the Hurricanes 16-11 and outhit them 15-12 by the end of the second period. Their defense was stellar, blocking 22 shots compared to Carolina's seven. Tom Wilson set the tone with big hits and crucial blocked shots, showcasing his physical play.

Third Period Goals

John Carlson scored his first playoff goal on a power play, putting the Capitals up 2-0. This goal ended Carolina's streak of 20 consecutive penalty kills. The Hurricanes responded with a power-play goal from Shayne Gostisbehere, his second playoff goal.

The Hurricanes pulled their goalie with under two minutes left, but it backfired when Tom Wilson scored an empty-net goal, sealing a 3-1 win for the Capitals. Despite outshooting and outhitting Washington overall, Carolina couldn't mount a comeback. Logan Thompson made 27 saves, solidifying his standout performance. The series now shifts to Carolina for Game 3 on May 10.