The Washington Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes put on a thrilling show two weeks ago. Not only did the matchup feature Evgeny Kuznetsov’s first game back in the District since his trade to the Hurricanes, but the contest proved to be the Capitals’ most entertaining game of the season.
The 7-6 shootout finish featured multiple lead changes, two successful challenges by the Capitals, more than two goals per period, and a potential 19-point swing in the Capitals’ playoff chances. The stakes were high and the Capitals went toe-to-toe in their own barn with one of the best teams in the league. After more than 65 minutes of showstopping play, they came out on top.
“That was probably the most fun I’ve ever had playing,” Hendrix Lapierre said, perfectly summing up the night to Monumental Sports Network.
Sonny Milano played the hero in the victory as he recorded his first career hat trick. The three-goal performance gave Milano 9 goals in 15 games, continuing a hot streak that saw him score in five straight games earlier in March.
“It’s obviously pretty special for me,” Milano said after the milestone game. “I didn’t know if I was ever going to get [a hat trick]. I’m pretty happy with that, especially in a big game like this.”
Fast forward to Friday night’s rematch, and the stakes are even higher. Milano went down with an injury just minutes into his next game — missing two games and failing to score since returning — the Capitals have lost each of their last four games, and the team fell out of a once-commanding position in the race for an Eastern Conference playoff spot.
After their 4-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Capitals have nearly the same odds of making the playoffs (40%) that they did in that last game against the Hurricanes. They could improve those chances back above a coin flip with a regulation win, but a regulation loss would push their odds below one in three.
Snapping their losing streak against the Canes will be no easy feat, though the Capitals had already turned their focus to the game ahead after Thursday night’s loss.
“We have enough veterans in here where we know we can’t dwell on tonight,” Max Pacioretty said then. “If you let two points slip (Friday) because of your frustration with tonight, then that’s a rookie mindset.”
The Hurricanes will come into Friday night’s game with the high ground. Two weeks ago, Carolina had the disadvantage of playing the back half of a back-to-back with travel. This time, the shoe will be on the other foot as the Capitals try to manage the same feat against a formidable foe. The Hurricanes have won six of their last nine games at home and will likely have either a recently-ailing Darcy Kuemper or emergency recall Hunter Shepard in net to shoot at.
Kuemper struggled in that March 22 offensive showcase against the Canes, allowing four goals — not including the two that were later overturned — before head coach Spencer Carbery pulled him for Charlie Lindgren in the third period. The veteran backstop has made just one appearance since, a 14-minute relief outing against the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday where he faced just four shots.
Though the Capitals recalled Shepard Thursday afternoon, Kuemper was well enough to back up that night against the Pittsburgh Penguins, suggesting he would likely play the second half of the back-to-back.
Washington will need a huge effort from their goaltender to recapture a position in the postseason. With more than a week between Capitals wins, the team’s Eastern Conference foes have closed in. The New York Islanders beat the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night, vaulting them into the second wild card spot with their 83 standings points and shoving the Capitals (82 points) out of the current playoff picture.
Additionally, the Penguins sit just one point behind the Capitals, while the Red Wings are now even with the Caps. The Capitals have a game in hand on both the Penguins and Islanders, but that advantage will disappear after tonight’s game against Carolina.
The Philadelphia Flyers are clinging onto a one-point lead over the Capitals for the final guaranteed playoff spot in the Metropolitan Division. Philadelphia also plays on Friday against a Buffalo Sabres team that recently blew out the Capitals. The Caps will still hold a game in hand on Philly at the conclusion of the night and could potentially move past them with a win over the Canes.
Meanwhile, Carolina comes into Friday night looking to avenge their own 4-1 loss after falling to the Boston Bruins on home ice. The Hurricanes will have plenty of motivation as they look to not only get some revenge on the Capitals but also right their ship ahead of the playoffs. Despite already clinching a spot, the Hurricanes aren’t done with their fight for playoff position: there’s still an outside chance that they’ll be able to make up the five-point deficit they are facing to climb over the New York Rangers for the division lead.
“We were sluggish to start,” head coach Rod Brind’Amour said after Thursday’s loss. “We weren’t ready for that pace. That’s on me, knowing the way we took these last four days. It was more of mentally getting away and we weren’t ready to get to it. After the first (period), it was a fairly even game, but the game was pretty much over.”
The Hurricanes will have both Kuznetsov and fellow former Capital Dmitry Orlov in their lineup. Neither player had any points on the six goals Carolina scored in DC in their last meeting, so they’ll be looking to torch their former friends.
The Capitals currently lead the four-game season series 2-1. If they want a fighting shot to see the first round of the postseason, they will need to hold Carolina to just that one win for the year. Puck drop is slated for 7 pm at PNC Arena.
