WASHINGTON, May 8, 2025 — Logan Thompson made 27 saves, including 16 in the third period, leading the Washington Capitals to a 3-1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Second Round at Capital One Arena on Thursday. The win evened the best-of-7 series for the No. 1 seed Capitals after a 2-1 overtime loss in Game 1.
“He’s our wall back there,” Capitals forward Tom Wilson said of Thompson. “He’s calm. He just keeps us in every single game. It’s nice having a goalie that’s going to give it his all. He’s been our MVP all year and he’s playing great.”
Wilson contributed a goal and an assist, while Connor McMichael and John Carlson also scored for Washington. The Capitals blocked 33 shots, with Wilson credited for two, including a key block on a shot by Jordan Staal late in the first period. Shayne Gostisbehere scored the lone goal for the No. 2 seed Hurricanes, with Frederik Andersen stopping 18 shots.
“It was much better. There’s no doubt about that,” Washington coach Spencer Carbery said. “I still think we have another level to get to. We’re going to need to get to that level, especially going down into their building.”
Carolina struggled, particularly in the second period. “We weren’t certainly great, that’s for sure,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “And you’ve got to give Washington credit. They played a much better game. … We have to be better, that’s for sure.”
McMichael opened the scoring at 2:16 of the second period after a Carolina dump-in attempt by Sean Walker struck Gostisbehere in the neck. McMichael seized the loose puck and scored on a wrist shot. “Obviously, it’s unfortunate,” Walker said. “Just trying to get the puck in there. Hit Shayne in the neck. … It’s part of it. Just move on.”
Carlson extended the lead to 2-0 with a power-play goal at 1:54 of the third period, a one-timer from the left circle off Wilson’s pass, ending Carolina’s 19-for-19 playoff penalty kill streak. Gostisbehere responded with a power-play goal at 9:26, cutting the deficit to 2-1, but Wilson sealed the 3-1 win with an empty-net goal at 19:00.
“He does it all,” Capitals forward Brandon Duhaime said of Wilson. “He’s the heart of the team. He drives the bus every night for us. He’s physical. He dominates pucks and he scores big goals, makes big plays for us.”
Game 3 is set for Saturday in Raleigh, North Carolina, at 6 p.m. ET, broadcast on MAX, truTV, TNT, SN, and TVAS. The Capitals’ 33 blocked shots and Thompson’s third-period heroics underscored their defensive resolve, while Carlson’s goal marked his 13th career playoff power-play tally, tying Peter Bondra for third in franchise history. For Carolina, Sebastian Aho’s assist on Gostisbehere’s goal set a franchise record for playoff power-play points at 21.
The Capitals adjusted effectively after Game 1, with Carbery noting increased confidence. “I thought he was leading the charge tonight,” Carbery said of Wilson. Carolina’s Staal lamented their puck turnovers, saying, “We were playing in our end a little bit too much.” With the series tied, both teams brace for a critical Game 3.
