Capitals Send Fiery 1-Word Message After Game 2 Win vs. Hurricanes
Given how Game 1 of their second-round playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes ended—a 2-1 overtime loss after leading 1-0 to start the third period—the Washington Capitals likely considered Thursday's Game 2 to be a little vindication.
The Capitals entered the third period holding another 1-0 lead, only this time defenseman John Carlson scored less than two minutes in to give Washington a two-goal advantage, and after Shayne Gostisbehere cut the deficit to one, Tom Wilson added an insurance goal with one minute left in regulation to preserve the 3-1 win.
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The victory tied the second-round series 1-1, making it the first of the four remaining playoff series where both teams have each won a game.
The Toronto Maple Leafs lead the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers 2-0, and the Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers lead their respective series against the Winnipeg Jets and Vegas Golden Knights 1-0.
Moments after the game ended, the Capitals took to social media and bask in their win.
'gn (good night),' the team posted on X with a video of forward Connor McMichael sliding on his knees in celebration toward the Capitals' bench after scoring a second-period goal.
Washington's Game 1 loss to Carolina was the first time the team had battled any adversity this postseason. The Capitals cruised to an easy Round 1 series win over the Montreal Canadiens, dispatching of the Atlantic Division foe in five games.
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If Washington gets past Carolina, it would be the first time it made it past the second round of the playoffs since its Stanley Cup-winning season in 2018.
Though the two teams split their four-game regular-season series, the Capitals finished 12 points ahead of the Hurricanes in the standings, toppling them for the Metropolitan Division crown by a large margin.
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