Capitals roll past Hurricanes in offensive shootout

The Washington Capitals took care of business on home ice to defeat the Carolina Hurricanes 7-6 in the shootout. Dylan Strome would end it as no one else scored in overtime or the skills challenge. Strome struck in the fifth round to send the fans at Capital One Arena home happy. Except for those pour folks who drove up from the south.

The Canes struck first at 6:53 with a goal from Sebastian Aho. At 12:45 the Caps struck on the power play with a backhanded shot from Sonny Milano for his 11th of the season. Connor McMichael set him up there.

At 19:12 the Hurricanes went back in front 2-1 with a goal from Jaccob Slavin. The Caps were outshot 10-4 in the first period.

Alex Ovechkin struck on the power play at 13:59 as Strome assisted as did Ivan Miroshnichenko. Milano tacked on his second goal of the night 41 seconds later on a Strome feed.

The Canes would answer with Aho's second of the game at 15:23. Brady Skjei gave them a 4-3 lead with six seconds to go in the second. Caps were outshot 12-9 in the second.

Darcy Kuemper was pulled after that fourth goal in favor of Charlie Lindgren the rest of the way. More firworks happened in the third. John Carlson scored on the power play at 3:45 with Hendrix Lapierre and Ovechkin providing the apples.

Milano completed the hat trick at 8:19. Rasmus Sandin and Stromer had the helpers and it upped Milano's goal total to 13 on the season.

Seth Jarvis scored on the power play to tie it for the Hurricanes. It came at 9:35. Connor McMichael answered at 13:53 with Trevor van Riemsdyk and Miroshnichenko assisting.

Aho completed his hat trick at 17:39. Nobody scored in overtime or the shootout until Strome ended it in the fifth round. It helped keep the Caps a point out of the second playoff spot. The Red Wings come here Tuesday but first the Caps got a home afternoon matinee on Sunday with the Winnipeg Jets.