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Capitals collapse late in a poorly-officiated, poorly-played game against Canes: Hurricanes beat Capitals 4-2

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Capitals vs Hurricanes
📸: @JonSeaton18/X

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The Washington Capitals went into Raleigh on Friday night looking to grind out a result against the Carolina Hurricanes. A game against Carolina is never easy as they shoot the puck, shoot the puck, and then shoot the puck some more.

Alex Ovechkin struck first with a dirty goal in front of the net, pouncing on a rebound. Ovi would double his tally with another net-front marker, deflecting home a point drive. Jake Guentzel scored the only goal in the second, tracking down a pop-fly pass from Jaccob Slavin.

Martin Necas tied the game with less than half of the third period remaining. Sebastian Aho scored the winner with less than two minutes in regulation. Jake Guentzel empty netter.

Hurricanes beat Capitals 4-2.

  • Remember when I complained in the morning numbers post from earlier today about how the Pittsburgh Penguins got thoroughly outplayed by the Capitals in the first period yet still left it with a 2-0 lead? Well, turns out I actually love that now. The Capitals spent about 15 minutes of the first period in their own zone but they went into the first intermission up two goals. Give me a hell yeah.
  • Get used to the wrestling references, it’s WrestleMania weekend and I’m pumped up. Just like Alex Ovechkin was when he potted two goals past Pyotr Kochetkov in the first period. Ovi’s 850th and 851st career tallies give The Great Eight 21 goals in his last 30 games. He’s the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be.
  • Did not expect Sebastian Aho to choose Connor McMichael as his random mortal enemy early in this game. Aho should have been seated in the box for two minutes for his blindside hit on McMichael late in the first. Connor might need to turn the tides on Aho as AJ Styles did to LA Knight earlier today.
  • The Capitals finished forty minutes of NHL hockey with 10 total shots on goal. That’s atrocious work but they also led the game 2-1 after those forty minutes. That’s just how the puck lands sometimes but I would be quite peeved if I was a Hurricanes fan tonight.
  • We had a discussion on our Discord earlier about Ivan Miroshnichenko and his current status with the club. Would you prefer he get sent to the AHL to ramp up preparation for the playoffs down there or stay in the NHL even if it means he’s getting the fourth-line assignment he got tonight? I was in the former club.
  • Second-straight game from the Capitals allowing a shorthanded breakaway. Would like for that definitely not to become a trend. Delete, as Matt Hardy would say.
  • Do we think Cody Rhodes will finish his story on Sunday? I can’t remember if I already asked you all of this in the last recap I did because the season grind makes everything an absolute blur. As I’m writing this bullet, I’m remembering that I definitely did. Well, if you have an opinion and missed out last time, give it to me now.

  • The Capitals cannot play like this again. I hope it’s just a fatigue thing or an off night as they were outshot 46-15. However, the officiating was also absolutely horrific at the end of the third. Just completely spineless and inconsistent. They likely would have somehow earned a point without that call.
  • Phenomenal performance from Darcy Kuemper. Maybe he should tweak his back before every start.
  • How does Rod Brind’Amour not get ejected every other game? Is there a coach that blatantly barks at the officials more? John Tortorella not included.

The Capitals will now return home to DC for an off day on Saturday before hosting the Ottawa Senators on Sunday. They’ll honor John Carlson before that game for playing in his 1,000th NHL game and hope to stave off a six-game losing skid afterward.

Note: We had trouble getting a headline photo for our recap. Then Ian asked on his personal Twitter, and you guys delivered late in the third period. Thank you so much, always, for your help. Here are some of the other great shots we got.

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