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Washington Capitals Get Blanked 5-0 by Carolina Hurricanes in Game 3

ByMichael Marzzacco|
RALEIGH, NC - APRIL 15:Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) gets ready to hit Carolina Hurricanes right wing Andrei Svechnikov (37) as they fight during the first period of the third game of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Washington Capitals and the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday, April 15, 2019. (Photo by Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - APRIL 15:Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) gets ready to hit Carolina Hurricanes right wing Andrei Svechnikov (37) as they fight during the first period of the third game of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Washington Capitals and the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday, April 15, 2019. (Photo by Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

The Washington Capitals came into Monday night’s first round Game 3 with the goal of going up 3-0 and being one win closer to the next round. The Carolina Hurricanes had other ideas.

The Carolina Hurricanes delivered in front of the home fans with a 5-0 win over the Washington Capitals to get right back in the series trailing 2-1. This was a contest that the hosts simply wanted more, having playing in their first home playoff game since 2009.

The Hurricanes struck first at 9:43 with an ugly goal from Warren Foegele. Playing in front of a big crowd, Carolina was the more physical team. They outhit the Capitals 15-10 and outshot them 15-9 in the opening 20 minutes. Both teams had power play chances. First Jordan Staal was called for interference on John Carlson and then Dmitry Orlov for interference against Justin Williams.

Neither power play cashed in but the big highlight came in between the Foegele goal and the penalties. It came when Hurricanes rookie Andrei Svechnikov was trying to go with Alex Ovechkin. Big rookie mistake. Ovechkin just didn’t make it fair. Scevhnikov left the game and never returned.

Ovechkin confirmed after the game that Svechnikov challenged him to fight and that he hoped Svechnikov is okay.

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Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour didn’t have any updates on Svechnikov after the game. Even though Ovechkin was challenged to a fight, that didn’t stop Brind’Amour from defending his player and expressing disappointment on Washington’s captain.

“One guy’s gloves comes off way first. And that’s Ovi, not our guy. So it’s a little bit frustrating because he got hurt. It’s his first fight. He’s played 90 games. He’s never fought in his life, and I’m pretty sure Ovi knew that. So that stuff bothers me,” said Brind’Amour.

If Ovechkin fought Svechnikov with anger, the rest of the Capitals didn’t match that same anger in the second period. Foegle added his second of the game just over six minutes in. Dougie Hamilton added a power play goal just over five minutes later. Not only was Carolina scoring to increase their lead. The Capitals struggled shooting.

Up until late in the second period with just under five minutes to go, the Capitals hadn’t registered a shot the whole entire period. The Capitals were outshot 17-1 in the second period. The Capitals were staring at a 3-0 deficit after 40 minutes.

Hamilton added his second goal of the game to make and Brock McGinn added a goal of his own in the third to go up 5-0. The Capitals were better in the third but still didn’t match the same intensity from the Hurricanes. The Capitals were outshot 12-7 in the third period and 45-18 overall.

“Everything can be better. We didn’t execute anything,” said Nicklas Backstrom.

The Capitals get that chance to make everything better on Thursday night in Game 4. Once again, puck drop is set for 7 p.m.

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