In a thrilling start to their second-round Stanley Cup playoff series, the Carolina Hurricanes edged the Washington Capitals 2-1 in overtime on May 6, 2025. The game, held at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., saw the Hurricanes take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series, thanks to a game-winning goal from defenseman Jaccob Slavin.
The match was a testament to the Hurricanes' relentless offensive pressure, as they needed a staggering 93 shot attempts to secure the victory. Despite their overwhelming shot advantage, the Hurricanes were initially stymied by Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson, who made an impressive 31 saves throughout the contest.
Thompson's performance was crucial in keeping the Capitals in the game, particularly during a first period where he faced 12 shots, many of which were high-quality chances. Capitals coach Spencer Carbery praised Thompson, recalling a previous game where the young goalie had to step up in high-stress situations. "In those moments of high stress, you need your goaltender to step up and quote-unquote ‘be a gamer’ and give us one more save and keep us in this hockey game," Carbery said.
As the game progressed, the Capitals managed to take the lead in the second period. Aliaksei Protas, who was returning from injury, scored at 3:53 with a well-placed shot from the top of the circle, marking his first career playoff goal. This goal came against Frederik Andersen, who was making his return to the Hurricanes' lineup after an injury earlier in the playoffs.
However, the Hurricanes responded with tenacity. Carolina tied the game at 9:42 of the third period when Logan Stankoven capitalized on a turnover created by a strong forecheck from Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Logan Stankoven. The goal was a perfect example of the Hurricanes' aggressive playing style, which has defined their postseason run.
"We were all over it and we knew we had to just throw everything at the net," Slavin said after the game, reflecting on the team's mentality. "So, yeah, that mentality paid off there at the end."
As the game moved into overtime, the Hurricanes continued to apply pressure, and it was Slavin who ultimately sealed the victory with a fluky goal that slipped past Thompson. The Capitals, with only 14 shots on goal throughout the game, struggled to find their rhythm against the Hurricanes' dominant play.
Washington's Tom Wilson had noted the challenges posed by Carolina's game, stating, "I think Carolina is a better version of what we saw in Montreal. They’re a little bit bigger. They’re a little bit stronger. They’re a little bit faster. And they buy into what their coaches teach. They really execute their game plan flawlessly." This proved to be a significant factor in the game, as the Capitals were unable to keep pace with the Hurricanes' offensive onslaught.
In addition to the on-ice action, the game saw some injury concerns for the Hurricanes. Center Mark Jankowski sustained an undisclosed injury and did not return after being last seen on the ice with 4:42 remaining in the second period. Jankowski, who was acquired from Nashville prior to the trade deadline, had contributed eight goals in 19 regular-season games for Carolina and had recently provided an assist in the first round of the playoffs.
As both teams prepare for Game 2, which is scheduled for Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 7 PM ET, the Capitals will need to regroup and find ways to generate more offense if they hope to even the series. With only 14 shots on goal in Game 1, the Capitals' offensive efficiency will be crucial in their quest to bounce back.
For the Hurricanes, the victory not only gives them an early edge in the series but also showcases their depth and resilience. With players like Slavin and Stankoven stepping up in critical moments, Carolina looks poised to continue their playoff run.
As the series unfolds, fans can expect an exciting matchup filled with intensity, skill, and the high stakes that come with playoff hockey. The Capitals will aim to find their scoring touch, while the Hurricanes will look to build on their momentum and push closer to advancing in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
