News

Hurricanes Trounce Capitals, 4-1 In 2023 Stadium Series Game

By Jon Sorensen·
Photo: NHL.com

The Washington Capitals fell to the Carolina Hurricanes, 4-1, Saturday night at the 2023 Stadium Series Game in Raleigh, North Carolina. The loss drops the Capitals record to 28-24-6 (62 points) on the season.

Darcy Kuemper (16-16-0-4, 2.63 GAA, .914 sv%) got the start in goal for the visiting Capitals. Frederick Andersen (12-4-0-0, 2.61 GAA, .899 sv%) got the start between the pipes for the Hurricanes. The starting forward lines and defensive pairs for the Capitals:

Sonny Milano — Evgeny Kuznetsov — Tom Wilson
Marcus Johansson — Nicklas Backstrom — Conor Sheary
Anthony Mantha — Dylan Strome — T.J. Oshie
Nicolas Aube-Kubel — Lars Eller — Garnet Hathaway

Erik Gustafsson — Trevor Van Riemsdyk
Dmitry Orlov — Nick Jensen
Matt Irwin — Martin Fehervary

Darcy Kuemper
Charlie Lindgren

Scratched: Alexander Alexeyev, Aliaksei Protas, Joe Snively

FIRST PERIOD

The Hurricanes opened the scoring just 2:11 into the contest. Jesperi Kotkaniemi (10) kicked home the opening score. Teuvo Teravainen (21) and Martin Necas (28) had the helpers.

And that was it for the opening period, with the Canes taking a 1-0 lead into the first intermission. Canes led in five-on-five shot attempts, 15-14, scoring chances, 10-8, high-danger chances, 5-3. Canes led in xGF .81 to .50. Caps led the battle at the dot, 73-27%.

SECOND PERIOD

The Hurricanes made it 2-0 on Paul Stastny’s seventh goal of the season at 5:47 of the middle frame. The goal was setup on the end of a turnover by the Capitals in the defensive zone.

The Canes made it 3-0 on Martin Necas’ 22nd goal of the season at 8:48 of the second period. Brent Burns (30) and Jesperi Kotkaniemi (14) had the assists. The goal came on the power play after Evgeny Kuznetsov was called for high-sticking.

The Canes stretched their lead to 4-0 with a tally from Teuvo Teravainen (7) at 11:17. Martin Necas (29) and Frederick Andersen (1) had the assists.

And that was it for the middle frame. The Hurricanes led in five-on-five shot attempts 15-10 in the second period and 30-24 after 40 minutes of play. The Hurricanes led in scoring chances, 10-3 and high-danger chances, 4-1. The Hurricanes led in expected goals for 1.9 to .68.

THIRD PERIOD

The Capitals finally got on the scoreboard with a tally from Tom Wilson (3) at 10:32 of the final frame. Sonny Milano (15) and Martin Fehervary (7) had the helpers.

The rest of the game transpired quietly, with no additional scoring.

The Capitals now return home for a three-game home stand beginning on Tuesday against the Detroit Red Wings.

SHAVINGS

  • Tom Wilson scored his third goal of the season. In three career outdoor games, Wilson has recorded two points (1g, 1a).
  • Sonny Milano recorded his 15th assist of the season on Wilson’s goal. Milano’s 23 points (8g, 15a) since Nov. 5 ranks tied for fifth on Washington.
  • Martin Fehervary was credited with the secondary assist on Wilson’s goal. In 46 games this season, Fehervary has recorded 11 points (4g, 7a).
  • With the Hurricanes win, they sweep the season series with the Capitals.
  • The loss is the first for the Capitals in outdoor games (3-1).
  • The Capitals extend their current losing streak to four games.
  • This was the NHL’s 37th outdoor game.
  • Stadium Series attendance: 56,961 (sellout)