Nick Wass/AP
In the breathtaking Game 3 showdown in Raleigh, the Carolina Hurricanes unleashed a tempest upon the Washington Capitals, seizing a commanding 2-1 series lead with a decisive 4-0 victory.
Despite an elite goalie battle, the first game went to overtime with the Capitals coming out on top. Even in the Game 2 loss, the Canes seemed to just have the edge in terms of talent.
The first score came in the second period by Andrei Svechnikov, a force of nature, snatched a loose puck off a faceoff and bulldozed his way to the net, unleashing a shot that left Capitals’ goalie Logan Thompson helpless. This was a momentum-shifting moment that seemed to demoralize the Capitals while energizing the Hurricanes.
Then, as the clock ticked down in the second, a power play opportunity arose for the Hurricanes, and Jack Roslovic, with a lightning strike, fired a wrist shot that found the back of the net, sending the Canes faithful into a frenzy.
Eric Robinson and Jackson Blake outmaneuvered the Capitals in the final period. They added on two more goals.
But the real hero came in the form of goalie Frederik Andersen. He spurned 21 shots on goal. This was his fourth career playoff shutout, but the first one for him playing with the Hurricanes.
Key Points:
- Svechnikov’s momentum-shifting goal
- Roslovic’s power play
- Andersen’s shutout – one of the most impressive of his career
- Carolina’s relentless pressure
The Hurricanes are primed to take the series. They will be back in Raleigh for another magic show tomorrow. The winner of Game 3 goes on to take the series two-thirds of the time.
The Canes made their first finals appearance in 2002 after relocating to North Carolina. The later 2006 Stanley Cup victory remains the only major professional sports championship for the state of North Carolina as of 2025.
