This is a must win game for the Washington Capitals. They absolutely cannot afford to end tonight down 0-2 in the Second Round series to the Carolina Hurricanes. So lets look at three ways the Caps can come out on top.
#3 Play their style
What the Caps lacked in Game 1 was their style. They did not get enough shots up. They could've lost 5-1. Instead it was a 2-1 overtime defeat where they were outshot 33-14.
The Caps also have to dominate offensive zone possession time. In other words, hang onto and control the puck throughout the course of the game. The reason the Hurricanes put up that many shots was because they did a good job controlling the puck.
The Caps also have shown an ability to bounce back from defeat all season long and they'll look to do so again tonight. Washington has a record of 24-7-1 in games following a loss this season and are 1-0 after a loss in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Capitals have won three of their last four series in which they lost Game 1 at Capital One Arena. Those other times were in 2015 against the New York Islanders in round one, 2018 first round against the Columbus Blue Jackets and the 2018 second round against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
#2 Logan Thompson needs to lock in
Again, Washington could've lost Game 1 5-1 if it wasn't for Logan Thompson. He stopped 31 of 33 shots faced in the 2-1 overtime loss in Game 1.
Thompson comes into tonight with a 4-2 record through six games and ranks second in the NHL in goals against average (2.17) and save percentage (.926) this postseason.
In additon, Thompson is ranked first among goaltenders with at least five games played in goals saved above expected per 60 minutes at 0.58 per Sportlogiq.
Thompson has lost consecutive starts on just two occassions in the 2024-25 season on Feb. 25 and March 1 and on March 25 and April 2.
In 10 career Stanley Cup Playoff games, Thompson has a record of 6-4 with a 2.25 goals against average and a .924 save percentage.
#1 Put the pressure on the Hurricanes
The Caps need to pressure the Hurricanes when Carolina has the puck. And they also need to make sure they don't have the puck so much compared to Game 1.
Though the Caps did finish with 32 blocked shots in Game 1 which tied for the second most in a playoff game by the Caps since the NHL began tracking blocked shots in the 2005-06 season. The other times were 40 blocked shots in the 2012 Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 3 against the New York Rangers and the 2011 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals in Game 1 with 32 blocked shots, also against the Rangers.
Matt Roy skated a game high 26:38 in Game 1 and ranks tied for sixth in blocked shots with 19 among all skaters this postseason. The Capitals killed off all three of Carolina's pwoer play opportunities in Game 1. Prior to that, the Hurricanes had scored a power play goal in four of their previous five games.
Can the Capitals bounce back in Game 2 in front of their loyal fans? Only one way to find out. We'll see you tonight. Tune in at 7 p.m. on ESPN.