It took a bit of extra time, but thanks to a Brooks Orpik goal, the Washington Capitals took a 2-0 lead against the Carolina Hurricanes with a 4-3 win, reversing an unfortunate trend of falling behind in the first playoff series.
Carolina Hurricanes right wing Nino Niederreiter (21) falls to the ice next to Washington Capitals defenseman Matt Niskanen (2) during the first period of Game 2 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series, Saturday, April 13, 2019, in Washington.
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)
AP Photo/Nick Wass
Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby (70) stops the puck against Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk (57) and right wing Nino Niederreiter (21) during the first period of Game 2 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series, Saturday, April 13, 2019, in Washington.
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)
AP Photo/Nick Wass
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8), of Russia, shoots the puck during the second period of Game 2 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes, Saturday, April 13, 2019, in Washington.
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)
AP Photo/Nick Wass
Washington Capitals defenseman Nick Jensen (3) and goaltender Braden Holtby (70) battle for the puck against Carolina Hurricanes right wing Justin Williams (14) during the first period of Game 2 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series, Saturday, April 13, 2019, in Washington.
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)
AP Photo/Nick Wass
Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (43) celebrates his goal with center Nicklas Backstrom (19), of Sweden, during the third period of Game 2 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series as Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce (22) skates away, Saturday, April 13, 2019, in Washington.
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)
AP Photo/Nick Wass
Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby (70) stops the puck against Carolina Hurricanes left wing Brock McGinn (23) during the third period of Game 2 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series, Saturday, April 13, 2019, in Washington.
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)
AP Photo/Nick Wass
The Washington Capitals celebrate after overtime of Game 2 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series as Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk (57) and goaltender Petr Mrazek (34) skate by, Saturday, April 13, 2019, in Washington. The Capitals won 4-3 in overtime.
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)
AP Photo/Nick Wass
Washington Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik (44) celebrates his game-winning goal with defenseman Christian Djoos (29), of Sweden, during overtime of Game 2 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes, Saturday, April 13, 2019, in Washington. The Capitals won 4-3 in overtime.
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)
It took a bit of extra time, but thanks to a Brooks Orpik goal, the Washington Capitals took a 2-0 lead against the Carolina Hurricanes with a 4-3 win, reversing an unfortunate trend of falling behind in the first playoff series.
The Caps started Game 1 without a shot on goal for the first nine minutes of play. Game 2 started with six Capitals shots, and the dividends paid early. Alex Ovechkin faked a slap shot after entering the offensive zone, then passed the puck to Nicklas Backstrom who beat Petr Mrazek backdoor.
With an assist on the goal, Ovechkin is now riding an eight-game playoff point streak, dating back to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final against Tampa Bay in 2018.
T.J. Oshie added a second tally with a forehand-backhand deke to beat Mrazek. It’s Oshie’s first goal of these playoffs.
Carolina cut the lead in half when Lucas Wallmark deflected a Jaccob Slavin shot. The Caps challenged for goaltender interference but the goal stood. It’s Wallmark’s first career playoff goal. The Hurricanes have 11 players making their playoff debut in this series.
To start the second period, Micheal Ferland hit Nic Dowd high and was assessed a five-minute major and a game misconduct.
But the Caps couldn’t convert, and the Hurricanes also couldn’t convert on an ensuing 5-on-3 power play.
Sebastian Aho tied the game when he banked a shot from behind the net off Braden Holtby, with just under four minutes to go. It’s Aho’s first goal since March 9.
The Caps pulled ahead 3-2, with 10 minutes remaining in the third. Ovechkin again initiated the play when he caught the puck out of midair in the defensive zone, zoomed up ice, then fed Tom Wilson for a cross-ice feed that beat Mrazek on the low blocker side.
Jordan Staal drew a high-sticking penalty on Nic Dowd, and Staal deflected a Dougie Hamilton point shot to tie the game at three.
In overtime, Orpik played hero with a bomb from the point. It’s the 38-year-old’s first goal of the playoffs, and third for the entirety of the season.
The game was the second playoff game this postseason to go beyond 60 minutes.
