Tom Wilson Powers Capitals to Game 2 Victory Past Hurricanes/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Tom Wilson led the Washington Capitals to a 3-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes with a goal, an assist, and relentless defensive play. His performance helped Washington even the playoff series 1-1. Teammates and coaches praised Wilson’s leadership and all-around impact heading into Game 3 in Raleigh.
Capitals vs. Hurricanes Game 2 Quick Looks
- Tom Wilson recorded a goal, an assist, and 2 blocks.
- Wilson assisted John Carlson’s game-winning power-play goal.
- He sealed the win with an empty-net goal in the final minute.
- Washington had 32 blocked shots to Carolina’s 10.
- Connor McMichael opened the scoring after a Hurricanes turnover.
- Wilson led all forwards in ice time for Washington.
- Coach Spencer Carbery praised Wilson’s energy and leadership.
- Teammates credited Wilson with setting the tone physically.
- The series is tied 1-1 heading into Game 3 in Raleigh.
- Wilson deflected praise, but teammates called him the spark.
Tom Wilson Powers Capitals to Game 2 Victory Past Hurricanes
Deep Look
Tom Wilson Lifts Capitals to 3-1 Win Over Hurricanes With All-Around Performance
WASHINGTON — Tom Wilson brought the full package on Thursday night — skill, grit, and leadership — as the Washington Capitals bounced back from an overtime loss to defeat the Carolina Hurricanes 3-1 in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference second-round playoff series.
Wilson tallied a goal and an assist and added two blocked shots in a performance that helped even the series at one game apiece. But box scores rarely tell the full story, and Wilson’s impact was far more than just statistical.
“I only had two of them?” Wilson joked about his block total postgame. “The guys up top need to pay a little more attention.”
From the opening puck drop, Wilson led by example. His physicality and relentless effort seemed to ignite the Capitals and the home crowd alike, especially after the sting of a 2-1 overtime defeat in Game 1.
“He was leading the charge tonight,” said head coach Spencer Carbery. “He was really engaged.”
Wilson, who logged more ice time than any other Capitals forward, made his presence felt in all three zones. In the third period, with Washington on the power play, he set up John Carlson for the go-ahead goal that broke a 1-1 tie.
He then put the game away with an empty-netter in the final minute, capping off a night in which he also delivered several bruising hits and sacrificed his body to prevent scoring chances.
“Game 1 wasn’t good enough,” Wilson admitted. “We knew that.”
Washington clearly responded to that message. After Carolina tied the game in the second period, the Capitals stayed aggressive and disciplined, with Logan Thompson standing tall in goal. Thompson praised Wilson for setting the emotional tone.
“He does everything the right way,” said Thompson. “We built off it. The whole stadium built off it.”
Connor McMichael, who scored Washington’s first goal after capitalizing on a Carolina turnover, summed up Wilson’s importance: “When we need a spark, he’s there. A big play or a big goal — it’s usually him.”
Wilson also came up big on the defensive end. In one of the game’s most crucial moments, he laid out head-first to block a shot from Carolina’s Jordan Staal, denying a scoring opportunity.
“You’ve just got to hope the puck hits you,” Wilson said modestly of the dive.
Despite praise pouring in from teammates and coaches alike, Wilson tried to deflect attention, insisting he wasn’t doing anything special.
“I’m not really doing anything more than everybody else on the team,” he said.
But longtime teammate and team captain Alex Ovechkin didn’t hesitate to give credit where it was due.
“He set the tone. He’s our leader,” Ovechkin said. “He plays smart. He plays physical.”
Next up: Game 3 on Saturday in Raleigh, where Wilson and the Capitals will try to ride their momentum and take the series lead against a resilient Hurricanes squad.
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