2023-24 Regular Season, Game 77: Hurricanes vs. Washington Capitals (Pregame)

The Hurricanes' return after a four-day break didn't quite go like we all hoped it would. The Boston Bruins came to town and took it took the Canes for ten minutes before sitting back and congesting the middle of the ice to prevent Carolina from getting anything going. Boston's superstars got it going early for the Bruins. First, Brad Marchand buried a breakaway over two minutes into the game to open the scoring. Then, David Pastrnak was left all alone to elevate a shot over Frederik Andersen's shoulder to double the lead. Finally, Pastrnak set up Danton Heinen for an easy goal with a beautiful seam pass to put the Bruins up by three just 10:46 into the game. The Canes' only marker came during a 5-on-3 in the second period. Jake Guentzel got just enough of a rebound to pop it past Jeremy Swayman to break his shutout late in the second period. Hampus Lindholm scored the empty netter to put the Canes away for good in the third, as Swayman finished with 28 stops in a 4-1 victory. 

The Opponent: Washington Capitals (36-29-10, 82 Points- 5th in the Metropolitan Division)

Last Meeting- When these two crossed paths in D.C., it was one of the most chaotic and unpredictable games of the season. Sebastian Aho kicked off the scoring early in the first period, and while Sonny Milano responded on the power play, Jaccob Slavin scored in the final minute of the period to take a 2-1 lead into the break. The score remained 1-1 until Alex Ovechkin got one on the power play, and Milano scored again less than a minute later to regain the lead. After having a goal taken off the board for offsides, Aho scored his second of the contest less than a minute after Milano's second, and Brady Skjei scored with less than seven seconds left in the second to put the Canes back in front 4-3. The Capitals came out in the third period on fire, getting their third power-play marker of the night from John Carlson and Milano completing his hat trick shortly after. Not to be outdone, Seth Jarvis got one on the power play for the Canes to draw back even. Connor McMichael restored Washington's lead with a goal with just over six minutes left, but Aho's third of the game and 30th of the season came with 2:21 left and Pyotr Kochetkov on the bench. Neither side scored in overtime before Dylan Strome finished his great game with the only goal in the shootout in a 7-6 win for the Capitals. 

Since We Last Met- While their win over the Hurricanes on March 22 would help spark a three-game winning streak and propel them into a playoff spot, times haven't been good for Washington recently. They've managed just one point in their last four games, losing by a combined 21-13 to Toronto, Boston, Detroit, and Pittsburgh. Their loss to Pittsburgh came last night in D.C. Charlie Lindgren allowed three goals on 20 shots, and Alex Ovechkin scored Washington's lone goal in a 4-1 defeat. The Capitals now sit one point behind the Flyers and Islanders, who hold the third spot in the division and the second Wild Card, respectively. It's not like they have much room behind them, either. Detroit and Pittsburgh are knocking on the door, too. 

Stories/Keys of the Game

1. Paging the Rest of the Canes' Lineup

Before the Toronto game two weeks ago, I called for the rest of the Hurricanes' lineup to help the top line out a little. So far, my call has fallen on deaf ears. Over the last four games, the top line has combined for 15 points, with all three guys recording five points each. The rest of the team combined for nine points in the same period. Only Brady Skjei has more than one point. Five of the team's nine goals have come from the top line, meaning the rest of the team has four. While having a first line that can score is great, the vision only works if everyone is contributing to the success. One line might be enough for some teams to win a round in the playoffs, but it's not the recipe for a run at the Stanley Cup. It's time for the rest of the lineup to put it together. 

2. Who Bounces Back Quickest?

Both teams played last night, and neither team came away with a victory at home. While the Canes played an overall okay game, they were doomed by their start. Washington's loss was relatively similar, allowing two goals in the first, a third goal in the second, getting one back on the power play, and allowing an empty-net goal in a 4-1 loss. With both teams playing the second half of a back-to-back, this start is going to be even more important. Pyotr Kochetkov and Darcy Kuemper are going to be the starters tonight, so their starts will also be worth watching. Kuemper wasn't great against the Canes despite the shootout win, and he's only made one appearance since. Kochetkov is coming off a shutout win last weekend in a big bounce-back performance. While ten minutes might've hurt the Canes last night, they might take the lessons they learned and try to apply them against the Capitals tonight. 

3. Washington Needs to Make the Most of This One

The Metropolitan and Wild Card races are going to come down to the wire, and the Capitals are squarely in both. The one thing in Washington's favor at the moment is that they own a game in hand over most of the teams they're fighting against. Of the other teams in the fight for a playoff spot, only the Flyers will be in action tonight, meaning this is their game in hand against New York and Pittsburgh, while Detroit will own a game in hand after tonight. To make matters a little tougher, the Capitals are having to travel for the second half of the back-to-back. They earned a shootout victory in Raleigh the last time they were here, so they know how to win at PNC Arena, but this is likely going to be a motivated Carolina squad.