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Carolina Hurricanes: Takeaways from HUGE Game 7 Win Over Washington

ByMatthew 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: Jordan Staal #11 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates his goal at 2:56 of the third period against the Washington Capitals in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Capital One Arena on April 24, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 24: Jordan Staal #11 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates his goal at 2:56 of the third period against the Washington Capitals in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Capital One Arena on April 24, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

3rd Period Takeaways

The 3rd period was one of the most intense periods of hockey I had seen to date (up until 1OT and 2OT. More on that later.). The Hurricanes were down a goal, and the defending Stanley Cup Champions were looking to close out the series and send the Canes packing back to Raleigh until September. Jordan Staal wasn’t such a huge fan of that idea.

Less than three minutes into the 3rd, Jordan Staal wristed a beauty of a shot over Braden Holtby’s right shoulder to tie the game up. The Capital One Arena was dead silent. The Hurricanes were alive and well, and tensions grew.

The referees seemed to be letting the flow of the game continue. There were plenty of opportunities for calls throughout the 3rd, but the refs continued to swallow their whistles. The Capitals had one last shot to put the game away with a little over two minutes left to play in regulation.

Tom Wilson nearly beat Mrazek on the glove side, but Mrazek got just enough of it to keep it out of the net. The puck remained loose in the crease, and Mrazek kicked it towards the yawning goal in the scramble to cover the puck.

Brock McGinn, in his most heroic play yet (until 2OT. Again, more on that later), dove into the crease and batted the puck away just as it approached the goal line. The 3rd period ended a tied game, and the Hurricanes were alive and well.

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