Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images

The Carolina Hurricanes downed the Washington Capitals 4-1 Friday night at Capital One Arena. After a scoreless opening frame, the Capitals would break the seal with a goal from Michal Kempny early in the second period, but the Canes responded with two goals to take a 2-1 lead into the second intermission. Sebastian Aho would stretch the Canes lead to 3-1 in the third and the ‘Canes would add an empty net goal for the 4-1 final. The Capitals return to action on Sunday when they visit the Penguins in Pittsburgh. Puck drop is 7:30 p.m. 

STARTERS
Braden Holtby (32-15-4, 3.01 GAA, .907 sv%) got the start between the pipes for the Caps. Scott Darling (12-19-7, 3.21 GAA, .886 sv%) got the start in net for the visiting ‘Canes. The Capitals starting forwards and defensive pairs for the contest:

Forwards:
Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Wilson
Burakovsky-Backstrom-Oshie
Vrana-Eller-DSP
Stephenson-Beagle-Connolly
Defensive Pairs:
Kempny-Carlson
Orlov-Niskanen
Orpik-Djoos

Scratches: Shane Gersich, Alex Chiasson and Jakub Jerebek.

FIRST PERIOD
A rather pedestrian start to the contest as the Capitals and Hurricanes skated to a scoreless draw for the first 20 minutes. Carolina outshot Washington 8-6 for the first 20 minutes. The Capitals ended the period on the power play, with 1:07 left to start the second period.

SECOND PERIOD
The Capitals opened the scoring with a goal from Michal Kempny at 2:35 of the second period. This was Kempny’s second goal of the season. T.J. Oshie and John Carlson were credited with the assists.

But the lead would last long as Derek Ryan notched the equalizer just 40 seconds later.

The Canes would grab their first lead of the game with a goal from Justin Faulk at 11:43 of the middle frame. The goal was setup by another failed defensive zone clear and turnover by the Caps.

The period would end with Carolina leading 2-1. The Hurricanes outshot the Capitals 17-10 for the second period and led 25–16 after 40 minutes of play.

THIRD PERIOD
After a mostly lethargic final frame, the Hurricanes would extend their lead with a goal from Sebastian Aho at 14:32 of the third period.

The Canes would add an empty net goal late to make it a 4-1 final.

T.J. Oshie didn’t finish the game. Following the game Trotz said he’ll be re-evaluated tomorrow. He also added that Caps are being “ultra-cautious.”

SHAVINGS

• Lars Eller played in his 600th NHL game tonight.
• The NHL box score is here.

By Jon Sorensen

SCENES FROMTHE DISTRICT

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