WASHINGTON, D.C. — Jaccob Slavin’s overtime goal at 3:06 lifted the Carolina Hurricanes to a 2-1 victory over the Washington Capitals in Game 1 of their Stanley Cup playoff series on May 6, 2025, at Capital One Arena. Slavin’s shot from the right point navigated through traffic, past Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson, giving Carolina a 1-0 series lead. Thompson’s 31 saves kept Washington competitive despite Carolina’s 94 shot attempts to the Capitals’ 34.
“The puck came out to me at the point there, and I was just trying to get it to the net,” Slavin recounted. “I knew we had some numbers at the net, and I didn’t know it went in until I saw Jordan Staal coming with his arms up, yelling at me. It’s a huge win as a team.”
Carolina dominated possession, with crisp breakouts and stretch passes leading to relentless pressure. The Hurricanes’ 32 shots were matched by 32 blocked shots from 15 Capitals players. Washington struggled, managing only 14 shots on Carolina’s Frederick Andersen. “I thought our guys played hard every shift, right from the start of the game,” said Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour. “I liked how we were playing. Obviously, we were down but there is a certain game plan; both teams have it. I thought we were on it tonight. Sometimes you don’t get rewarded, but tonight we did.”
Aliaksei Protas gave Washington a 1-0 lead at 3:53 of the second period, scoring his first playoff goal on a shot from the right circle after a pass from Brandon Duhaime. “I felt like it was not going our way,” Protas said. “We needed to take a shot or something. I found a good spot and luckily it went in.” The Capitals held the lead into the third, but their offense faltered, with no shots during a power play early in the period.
Carolina tied the game at 9:42 of the third when Logan Stankoven scored from the slot off a Jesperi Kotkaniemi feed after a Washington turnover. The Hurricanes nearly won in regulation during a power play following Jakub Chychrun’s high-sticking penalty, but the Capitals’ penalty kill, successful on all three Carolina power plays, held firm despite shaky clears.
Washington’s game was marred by ineffective breakouts, a nonexistent forecheck, and defensive zone struggles, as noted by coach Spencer Carbery: “If we sat here and went through the whole game, from breakout to getting through the neutral zone to forecheck to wall play, it wasn’t good. And that’s the bottom line. Our entire game was not good. We’ll regroup and get ready for Game 2.”
The Capitals, who lost home ice advantage, now focus on Game 2. “There’s enough experience in this group,” said right wing Tom Wilson. “It’s one game. I don’t think anyone expected the playoffs just to be a straight line of ups; there’s going to be ups and downs and the next game is the biggest game. Our focus is on Game 2. We’ll regroup here and we’ll put in the work the next couple of days. We’ve got to take the next one and use the home ice to at least get one here.”
The Hurricanes’ shot volume and speed overwhelmed Washington, but Thompson’s performance kept the game close. The Capitals aim to adjust their game plan before Game 2, set for May 8 at Capital One Arena, to even the series in this best-of-seven matchup.
