RALEIGH, N.C. – The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Washington Capitals 5-2 on Monday night, taking a commanding 3-1 lead in their second-round playoff series. Key late goals from Sean Walker and an empty-netter by Andrei Svechnikov secured the victory for the Hurricanes.
Carolina improved its home record in the playoffs to 5-0 and now has the chance to clinch a spot in the Eastern Conference Final for the second time in three years by winning Game 5 on Thursday in Washington.
Hurricanes coach Rod Brind`Amour commented on the team`s performance: “If I`m just honest with how I feel about it, I thought our first two games (on the road) might`ve been better than some of these games — just the chances we`ve given up, a little too much here for me. But obviously at this time of year, it`s about results. I like where we`re at, that`s for sure.”
Walker`s goal proved pivotal, coming shortly after Alex Ovechkin had pulled the Capitals within one goal (3-2) with a one-timer blast on a 5-on-3 power play with about eight minutes left in the game. The scoring play for Walker began with a puck battle and an unusual moment where Washington`s Rasmus Sandin`s stick became stuck in a gap along the boards. This allowed Taylor Hall to quickly gain possession and deliver a pass to a breaking Walker on the left side, who then drove to the net and scored.
