The Carolina Hurricanes went into Game 2 hoping to double their series lead and head back to Raleigh two games ahead of the Washington Capitals, but couldn’t manage to get enough pucks past goaltender Logan Thompson, losing 3-1.
The Canes came out dominating the first period, but similar to Game 1, they struggled to find the back of the net. Going into the next two periods, the Canes lost their steam, allowing the Capitals to be first to pucks and control the game.
“We know how tough it’s going to be. Every game, at this time of year especially, you’re going to have to be good to win, really good,” said head coach Rod Brind’Amour before the match. “It’s about staying focused and trying to regroup… what’s done is done. We have to get in the moment. That’s the only way to approach it.”
Capitalizing on a hectic play, Washington got a breakaway at center ice after an attempted clearance struck Hurricanes defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere in the throat, leaving him crouched down, unable to track back and defend. Capitals center Connor McMichael wasted no time getting the puck in the Canes’ defensive zone, letting off a wrist shot just right of goaltender Frederik Andersen into the back of the net, putting the Capitals up 1-0 for the second game in a row.
Just under two minutes into the third period, defenseman Brent Burns was sent to the box for hooking, putting Washington on the power play for the third time of the night. Another failed clearance from the Canes led to the second Washington goal from defenseman John Carlson, breaking the Canes’ perfect penalty-kill streak.
“You have to give them credit,” Brind’Amour said. “They dug in. We knew it was going to be like this. This was not surprising. We just have to regroup.”
Both teams were far more physical than in the first game, getting into more scraps and sending players off their feet. Center Logan Stankoven was noticeably more physical and involved, not afraid to get shoved around, even with his small physique.
“He’s had some experience already in this environment, and if you watch him play, he’s certainly not afraid of it,” Brind’Amour said. “I don’t know if anybody is, but he certainly had a good game and we rely on everybody, so we need that.”
The Canes, still fighting, managed to get on the board on a power-play chance halfway through the third period. Similar to Carlson’s goal, Gostisbehere stood on the right side of the goal, near the circle, waiting for a loose puck to find him. After a deflected shot from center Seth Jarvis bounced in his direction, Gostisbehere took the opportunity and let it fly directly under the arm of Thompson, cutting the Capitals’ lead in half.
Pulling Andersen for the extra skater, the Canes still had hope they could tie the game and bring it to overtime. After a misdirected puck, Washington pressured hard in the Canes’ zone. The first shot attempt broke the stick of Burns and bounced to Capitals right wing Tom Wilson, who dumped it into the empty net to seal the game, tying the series at one game apiece.
“Can we be better?” Brind’Amour asked. “Yeah, that’s the good news. We know we have to be better if we are going to win.”
The Hurricanes will return to Raleigh for Game 3 on Saturday at 6 p.m.
