The Round 2 series between the Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals is now even at a game apiece thaks to a 3-1 win by the home squad Thursday night at Capital One Arena.
Logan Thompson made 27 saves in goal in the winning effort including 16 in the third period. The first period was scoreless as the Caps were outshot 7-5.
In the middle stanza the Caps for once actually put up more shots than the Hurricanes outshooting them 9-4. Most importantly they got a big flick of the wrist breakaway shot from Connor McMichael at 2:16 to go up 1-0 for his fourth goal of the playoffs.
In the third the Caps went to the power play as the Canes were whistled for hooking. John Carlson got a look and a quick snipe for the PPG as the Caps went up 2-0.
It was Carlson's first goal of the playoffs. Tom Wilson and Dylan Strome had the assists for their fourth and eighth, respectively. That goal came at 1:54.
At 9:26 the Hurricanes finally got on the board with a goal from Shayne Gostisbehere. At the 19 minute mark the Caps would answer as Alaiskei Protas fed Tom Wilson for the empty net goal. It was Protas' first assist of the playoffs and Wilson's third goal of the spring.
The Caps were outshot 17-7 in the third and 28-21 overall but the fact they got up 21 shots was a much better effort than Game 1 where they only had 14.
After the game Tom Wilson was quick to praise the play of his goaltender Logan Thompson.
"He's our wall back there. He's calm. He just keeps us in every single game. It's nice having a goalie that's going to give it his all. He's been our MVP all year and he's playing great. "Tom Wilson
Spencer Carbery was much more upbeat in his postgame press conference than he was after Game 1 and rightfully so.
"It was much better. There's no doubt about that. I still think we have another level to get to. We're going to need to get to that level, especially going down into their building. I do think that. I think the way that we played, some adjustments we made, I feel like we're getting there. Guys can feel it. We're getting a little more confident. "Spencer Carbery
Shot blocking was a key entering this series and the Caps succeeded in doing that by blocking 33 of them. Wilson had tow of those blocks which included one that prevented a goal on a shot by Jordan Staal that came late in the first period.
Game 3 comes at you on Saturday night in Raleigh, North Carolina at 6 p.m. on TNT, truTV, and MAX.