The Carolina Hurricanes pulled off a dramatic comeback Thursday night, turning what looked like another frustrating playoff loss into a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory against the Washington Capitals.
For most of the game, it was the same old story for the Canes – plenty of shots, lots of chances, but nothing to show for it on the scoreboard.
Then Logan Stankoven changed everything.
The young forward found the back of the net with just eight minutes left in regulation, breathing new life into a team that had been knocking on the door all night.
But the real hero emerged in overtime.
Jaccob Slavin fired a shot from the blue line that somehow found its way through a maze of players and past Capitals goalie Logan Thompson, sending the PNC Arena crowd into a frenzy.
"I just tried to get it on net," Slavin said after the game. "Sometimes that’s all it takes."
The win gives Carolina a 1-0 lead in their second-round playoff series, though they had to work harder than their shot total might suggest.
For Thompson and the Capitals, it was a heartbreaking end to what had been a masterful defensive performance. The young netminder stopped 42 shots before Slavin’s game-winner finally beat him.
The teams will meet again Saturday night for Game 2, with Washington looking to even the series before heading back home.
