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Capitals vs. Hurricanes Recap: Caps Battle Hard In 2-1 Shootout Win

Dec 17, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Washington Capitals defenseman Martin Fehervary (42) celebrates his goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Carolina Hurricanes vs Washington Capitals
TeamP1P2P3OTShootoutTotal
Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina Hurricanes
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Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals
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Current Status: Final (Shootout)

Plus: Charlie Lindgren has been great for the Caps this season but it’s important for the Caps to get their number one guy going in Darcy Kuemper going. He was great tonight coming up with some big saves and not putting his team in hot water like he did to start the season.

Minus: It’s hard to find anything to really get upset about. The Caps were a tired team that worked their ass off. The one goal they allowed was a pretty ugly one; leaving Sebastian Aho alone in the slot is never a good idea. Hell, to leave anyone in the slot is never a good idea. Kuznetsov has to have his guy there instead of going into the corner.

Key Moment: This seems like an easy answer but the Martin Fehervary goal was huge. The Hurricanes were up 0-1 and putting on the pressure. The Caps looked like they were out of energy, but then to have one of your defensive defensemene walk up the slot and snipe it gave everyone the jolt they needed to battle the rest of the game.

Caps Player of the Game: No question about it, it was Darcy Kuemper, who turned aside 28 of the 29 shots he faced as well as all three in the shootout (keeping his SO record crystal clear to this point in the season). Just a really strong effort by the man between the pipes.

Final Thoughts: The Caps marched into enemy territory after playing the night before and played a well rested, very fast Hurricanes team – and, oh yeah, T.J. Oshie was also scratched right before the game due to an injury. For a team that was already missing Sonny Milano, they were down some talent up front. Mix But the Caps really showed their gumption tonight, and to come in and grab a point was a hell of battle that all the players fought for

The penalty kill came up huge with killing a double minor early in the game, then killed a couple more after that. That unit has been struggling lately, at least by their standards, but tonight they stepped up when the Caps needed it.

Talking Points