Defenseman Jaccob Slavin scored the game-winner just three minutes into overtime to lift the Carolina Hurricanes past the Washington Capitals 2-1 in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Tuesday night.
The top two teams in the Metropolitan Division squared off in Washington, D.C., each hoping to secure the first game of the second round. While this marks only their second-ever postseason meetup, both teams came in well-acquainted, each winning two of their four games in the regular season.
The Hurricanes, yet again, found themselves trailing in the third period, desperately looking for a game-tying goal to stay alive. That goal came midway through the period, forcing their third overtime of the postseason. With controlled puck possession and patience, they capitalized just three minutes in, walking away with Game 1 in hand.
The game-winner was set up by left wing Jordan Martinook after gaining possession behind the net and sending it through the sea of players, finding defenseman Jaccob Slavin at the top of the zone. Slavin settled the puck with no pressure on him, and let off a slap shot with enough zip to fly directly under the pads of Washington goaltender Logan Thompson, recording his first overtime goal in the postseason.
The Hurricanes dominated the game from the first whistle, peppering the net but not finding nylon until late. In the end, they recorded 94 shot attempts and 33 shots on goal, with five of those shots hitting the goal post.
Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen started between the pipes after leaving early in Game 4 against the Devils and sitting out of Game 5. Coming out big, he fended off the one-on-one breakaway from left wing Anthony Beauvillier, and saved the Canes’ perfect power play kill streak. Only allowing the Capitals to get one by him early into the second period, he walked away with a .929 save percentage.
The game held at 0-0 until a counterattack from Washington made it 1-0 three minutes into the second frame. Players from both teams were in a scramble to gain possession of the puck in the neutral zone, when center Aliaksei Protas tapped it free and skated it down the boards into the Canes’ zone. Looking to pass it, he decided to take the open shot and sent it flying just right of Andersen, putting his team up a goal.
Center Mark Jankowski took a hit late in the second period and left the game, leaving the Canes with one less man on the bench. Down a player, the Canes stepped up to fill the role, not letting off steam.
Defenseman Dmitry Orlov passed the puck down the left side into the Capitals zone, leaving the puck for anyone to claim. Center Jesperi Kotkaniemi scooped up the puck on a deflection off the skate of a Washington defender and sent the puck to center Logan Stankoven, who was positioned perfectly in front of the net. Stankoven, with plenty of time, set up the puck for himself and shot it into the top corner, just above the glove of Thompson, tying the game at one and giving the Canes the momentum needed for overtime.
The Carolina Hurricanes will suit up for Game 2 in Washington, D.C., on Thursday at 7 p.m.
