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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: Brock McGinn #23 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates 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 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)

1OT & 2OT Takeaways

The following overtime periods were absolutely insane. Both teams looked absolutely gassed, but both still managed to create high-quality offensive chances. For most of the first OT period, the Hurricanes seemed to own the ice. Forechecking and backchecking were on point, and the Canes outshot the Caps 11-4.

The second overtime period saw much of the same as the first, for the most part. The Hurricanes and Capitals were hurling as many shots as they could on the others’ net, and nothing was getting through Mrazek or Holtby. Both goaltenders stood tall throughout the last overtime period, but it was eventually Holtby who would let the game-winning goal through.

Justin Williams, Mr. Game 7, Captain Clutch himself, set Game 7 hero Brock McGinn up with a beautiful feed from the boards. McGinn was able to tip the puck in, blanketing the Capital One Arena in silence for the final time this season. The Hurricanes’ bench erupted onto the ice, with Petr Mrazek pulling off the most insane penguin slide I’ve ever seen.

In a series in which the home team took the win in every single game, the Hurricanes were facing an uphill battle. On top of all of the takeaways we’ve mention in this article, there is really only one that matters. The Hurricanes are not done.

This team has displayed resilience that hasn’t been seen or heard of for the past decade. Players like Jordan Martinook, Justin Williams, and Jordan Staal (the entire roster, really) have given this game and this series absolutely everything they have, and it has paid off.

Down two important forwards in Andrei Svechnikov and Micheal Ferland for most of the series, the Hurricanes have still managed to eliminate the defending Stanley Cup Champions and have punched their ticket to a round 2 matchup vs. the New York Islanders.

This is not the end, Caniacs. The storm is surging strong and is pointed straight at Brooklyn. Hopefully they and the rest of the League will finally listen to us and Take Warning.

Question for CC Readers: What do you think the Hurricanes need to do to start Round 2 off on the right foot?

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