The Carolina Hurricanes started their run for the cup with a single exhibition game on Wednesday night and they did so against the Washington Capitals at Scotiabank Arena in downtown Toronto.
In the first period, Carolina took a costly penalty that saw Capitals left-winger Alex Ovechkin score a precise slap shot goal on Petr Mrazek. The lead was short lived though, as 20 seconds later, Trocheck put in a heavily disputed goal as the net was knocked off by Dmitry Orlov. After referee analysis, it was deemed a goal since it was shown that the net was not off the peg before the puck crossed the line.
Half way through the first, there was a solid tic-tac-toe passing play with the Capitals Russian trio, seeing Kuznetsov score a one-timer off a pass from Ovechkin that was fed by Orlov. With a minute left, the ‘Canes made a good offensive push, but Holtby made a solid stand and was able to clear the puck with ten seconds left in the period.
Carl Hagelin took a penalty, giving the Hurricanes a power play two minutes into the second period. Trocheck followed, taking a penalty for tripping, leading to the two teams going to a four-on-four. That, unfortunately for Carolina, would end in power play for the Washington Capitals. With six minutes played, both teams took another penalty with Niederiter going out for tripping and Hagelin with his second penalty of the period, going off this time for high sticking against Trocheck.
Alex Ovechkin scored his second of the game after receiving a great pass from Tom Wilson who pushed through the defence to create open space. After Ovechkin’s goal, Carolina swapped out Petr Mrazek for veteran James Reimer. Jake Gardner proceeded to take an interference penalty with just over seven minutes left to play in the frame. Orlov took a slap-shot from the blue-line on the power play and ended up snapping his stick as it took too much force in the attempted shot. This effectively ended the offensive push the Capitals power play unit.
Teravainen took a hooking penalty with just under two minutes left in the period. McGinn got in on net with the shorthanded opportunity, but just had nowhere to put the puck. The period ended Washington having scored one goal for the 3-1 lead.
Going into the third, the Capitals swapped out Holtby for Vitek Vanecek, giving him a chance to show if he has the potential to play in the playoffs for the chance to rest Holtby.
With just under over 1:30 played, Orlov went into the penalty box for the second time on the night, being called for a minor hooking penalty. Soon after, another penalty was called on Washington for high sticking from centreman Lars Eller. This then led to a costly five-on-three for Carolina. Teravainen scored the power play goal after getting a quick pass from Sebastian Aho, bringing the Hurricanes to within one with plenty left of time left to play in the third.
Edmundson took a two-minute tripping call, leaving the ‘Canes a man down with 10 minutes left to play in the frame. Nothing came of the power play, leaving the score at 3-2 for Washington, thanks to a strong penalty kill unit taking the ice.
With 1:30 left in the game, the ‘Canes pulled their goalie for the extra attacker hoping to equalize. In the last 27 seconds, Tom Wilson was called for a cross checking penalty, leading to a six-on-four with the ‘Canes attempting to equalize. Washington would take it 3-2, thanks largely to the two strong goalies coming in to end the night.
After the game, fans were left speculating about John Carlson as he was sparsely seen in the third period and was confirmed to leave with 10 minutes left. Carlson exited the game after he had taken an awkward fall and is suspected to have sustained a lower-body injury. An announcement is expected to be made in the days to come with more information on his status.