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Carolina Hurricanes: Takeaways from HUGE Game 7 Win Over Washington

By Matthew Nidiffer

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 24: Brock McGinn #23 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates with his teammates after scoring the game winning goal in the second overtime period against the Washington Capitals in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena on April 24, 2019 in Washington, DC. The Hurricanes defeated the Capitals 4-3 in the second overtime period to move on to Round Two of the Stanley Cup playoffs. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 24: Brock McGinn #23 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates with his teammates after scoring the game winning goal in the second overtime period against the Washington Capitals in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena on April 24, 2019 in Washington, DC. The Hurricanes defeated the Capitals 4-3 in the second overtime period to move on to Round Two of the Stanley Cup playoffs. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 24: Washington Capitals left wing Andre Burakovsky (65) scores in the first period against Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Petr Mrazek (34) on April 24, 2019, at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 24: Washington Capitals left wing Andre Burakovsky (65) scores in the first period against Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Petr Mrazek (34) on April 24, 2019, at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

1st Period Takeaways:

The Carolina Hurricanes started the 1st period in relatively lukewarm fashion. After an unforced turnover from Brett Pesce, Capitals forward Andre Burakovsky opened up the scoring in the first just 2:13 into the game.

Four minutes later, Capitals enforcer Tom Wilson doubled the score after an impressive play along the boards by Alex Ovechkin. Ovechkin blew by Hurricanes defenseman Dougie Hamilton, deked around a diving Jaccob Slavin, and dished it to Tom Wilson who easily batted it past Petr Mrazek.

The Hurricanes played a very uninspired first period, having been outscored 2-0 and outshot 11-10 by the end of the period. The Hurricanes’ have struggled in almost every game this series that they’ve failed to convert offensively early on. This game was no different, however would yield an entirely different result than previous games in the series.

On top of the lack of offensive production, the Hurricanes’ defensive corps made quite a few costly mistakes. Both of the Capitals’ goals in the 1st period were a direct result of a defensive misstep.

The first, Brett Pesce coughed up an unforced giveaway that led directly to a Burakovsky goal. The second, Dougie Hamilton took a chance and pinched up-ice, which resulted in Ovechkin taking the puck and making the play to Tom Wilson. The Hurricanes needed to come out stronger in the second, and that is exactly what they did.

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