WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Capitals turned the tide in their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Carolina Hurricanes, winning Game 2 decisively with a 3-1 score on Thursday, May 8, 2025. This victory not only ties the series at one game apiece but also reinforces the Capitals' resilience after a tough overtime loss in Game 1.
In front of a roaring crowd at Capital One Arena, the Capitals showcased a performance that was markedly improved from the opener. Tom Wilson was instrumental in the victory, contributing a goal and an assist, including the empty-netter that sealed the game late in the third period. His efforts were crucial in lifting the team’s spirits after a disappointing start to the series.
“It was much better, there’s no doubt about that,” said Capitals coach Spencer Carbery. “We feel like we can punch back.”
Connor McMichael opened the scoring for Washington with a breakaway goal just 2:16 into the second period. The goal came after a clearing attempt by Carolina's Sean Walker inadvertently hit teammate Shayne Gostisbehere, allowing McMichael to capitalize on the mistake. “We were moving pucks quicker. I think we weren’t hanging onto it and looking for the perfect play,” McMichael noted after the game. “We were kind of just getting it out of our zone and forcing them to make plays.”
John Carlson extended the Capitals' lead with a power-play goal just 1:54 into the third period. This marked a significant moment, as it was the first power-play goal allowed by Carolina in the playoffs, breaking their impressive streak of 19 successful kills. Carlson’s goal came from a well-executed passing play that Wilson helped set up.
“There’s enough experience in this group,” Wilson said. “It’s one game. I don’t think anyone expected the playoffs just to be a straight line of ups. There’s going to be ups and downs. The next game’s the biggest game.”
Logan Thompson, the Capitals' goaltender, was a wall in net, stopping 27 of the 28 shots he faced. His performance was critical in maintaining the Capitals' lead, especially as the Hurricanes ramped up their offensive pressure in the third period. “He kept us in the game,” said captain Alex Ovechkin. “He gave us confidence.”
The Hurricanes managed to cut the lead to 2-1 with a power-play goal from Gostisbehere at the 9:26 mark of the third period, but it was too little, too late. Wilson's empty-net goal with under a minute remaining solidified the Capitals' victory.
Despite the loss, Carolina's coach Rod Brind’Amour acknowledged the Capitals' improved play. “We weren’t certainly great, that’s for sure, and you’ve got to give Washington credit — they played a much better game,” he said. “They dug in. We knew it was going to be like this. This is not surprising. Just got to regroup.”
Game 1 had seen the Hurricanes take an early lead in the series with a narrow 2-1 victory, thanks to Jaccob Slavin’s overtime goal. In that game, the Hurricanes out-attempted the Capitals by a staggering margin, showcasing their offensive prowess. However, the Capitals made the necessary adjustments and came out with a renewed sense of purpose in Game 2.
As the series now shifts to Raleigh, North Carolina, for Game 3 on Saturday, May 10, 2025, both teams will look to assert their dominance. The Hurricanes have shown strength at home, winning all three of their home games in the first round against New Jersey and finishing with an impressive 31 wins in 41 home games throughout the season.
The Capitals, however, are riding high on the momentum from their Game 2 victory. They will look to carry this energy into the next match, aiming to take the series lead. With both teams hungry for a win, fans can expect an intense battle as the playoff series continues.
As the teams prepare for the next clash, the stakes are higher than ever. Will the Capitals maintain their newfound momentum, or will the Hurricanes rebound on home ice? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: the excitement of the Stanley Cup playoffs is just heating up.
