Washington Capitals Win in Overtime, Grab 2-0 Series Lead

If you said you predicted the end of Game 2 between the Washington Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes, you’re lying.

Tied at three and headed to overtime tied at three, the Washington Capitals had already squandered leads of 2-0 and 3-2 and the Carolina Hurricanes had visions of a tied series in their heads. Then on a slapshot from the left face-off circle, Brooks Orpik scored top-shelf to give the Capitals a 4-3 win and a 2-0 series lead. Seriously. That Brooks Orpik.

Here’s how it happened:

The scoring started by the Capitals early on, who looked like they’d put the game out of reach in the first period. Alex Ovechkin came roaring down the right wing and, when it appeared he’d shoot, fired a quick pass to Nicklas Backstrom who tucked it in the left post for his third of the playoffs to give the Caps a 1-0 lead in the opening minutes.

T.J. Oshie doubled the lead a few minutes later and took the puck end-to-end, capped with a kick of Justin Williams‘ stick and a nifty backhand goal. The Capitals led 2-0, and all seemed well.

Then the Hurricanes woke up. They dominated the rest of the period, and after Braden Holtby was spun around in front of the net, a Hurricanes shot from Lucas Wallmark went five-hole and Carolina cut the lead in half.

Sebastian Aho registered the only goal in the second period on a deflection goal off the backside of Holtby to tie the game at two. But the second period was as wild as ever, for more reasons than just goals.

Michael Ferland was ejected in the second period for a hit to the head on Nic Dowd, which sent Rod Brind’Amour into a tizzy on the Hurricanes bench. Ferland was given a match penalty, which is likely to be rescinded once the Department of Player Safety takes a look. The Capitals did not score on the five-minute power play.

The hit DoPS might be more interested in is Dougie Hamilton‘s elbow to Evgeny Kuznetsov‘s head. There’s expected to be at least a look from Toronto.

Headed to the third, Tom Wilson appeared to give Washington a lead it wouldn’t give up with a goal at the 8:55 mark of the third on a beautiful feed from Ovechkin.

Six minutes later, however, Jordan Staal deflected a Hamilton shot in front of the net, which tied the game.

Petr Mrazek stopped 29-of-33 shots, but should receive some stick taps for keeping the Hurricanes in the game in the early going with the Caps pushing. Holtby got the win and saved 25-of-28 shots.

Which brings us to overtime, of which there was only one minute and 48 seconds. The Capitals owned possession, whatever little there was, which leads us to the final sequence. There would’ve been a million things more likely than what happened. But the Stanley Cup Playoffs are a funny place.

Evgeny Kuznetsov wasn’t pressured behind the net, took his time, and found a streaking Brooks Orpik to fire home a one-timer slapshot. The goal was Orpik’s third of the 2018-19 season, regular season included, and his fourth goal in 151 playoff games.

Yeah, we’re surprised too.

The goal gave the Capitals a 2-0 series lead and a chance to either end the series or take a commanding lead in Raleigh on Monday and Thursday. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. both nights.