Tom Wilson's hit helped turns the tide as the Washington Capitals advance to face the Carolina Hurricanes
Photo credit: NoVa Caps
For the first time in seven years, the Washington Capitals are headed to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
After beating the Montreal Canadiens in five games, the Caps are now preparing for a matchup with the Carolina Hurricanes - but ask anyone in the Capitals' locker room and they'll tell you the real turning point came in Game 4.
Tom Wilson's third-period hit on Alexandre Carrier sparked the Capitals' comeback in Game 4 and shifted the momentum of the entire series.
«Well, you know my answer,» he said. «Game 4, third period, Tom Wilson.»
Washington was losing 2-1 at the time of the hit, but within 12 seconds, Brandon Duhaime had tied the game and the Washington Capitals would go on to score four unanswered goals in that period and ride that energy into a series-clinching 4-1 win in Game 5.
Before Tom Wilson's hit, the Canadiens actually led the series in goals 11-10, but after it, the Capitals outscored them 8-1.
Tom Wilson's physicality helped set the tone.
«Tom lays a huge hit. We're down 2-1 in Montreal, up 2-1 in the series, so that series can kind of go either way at that point,» Strome said. «Tom makes a huge hit. We score right after. We have all the momentum. Get one late and find a way to win it at home. So I would say that was a big part of it.»
The Caps will need that same thing in Round 2 since the Carolina Hurricanes, who beat the New Jersey Devils in five games, await.
Washington expects more of the same: a physical, grinding battle.
«We've had some pretty good games with them this year, some physical games, so I expect a little bit more of what we saw in this series,» Strome said Wednesday.
Game 1 will take place at Capital One Arena, with the schedule to be announced soon and the path to the Eastern Conference Final won't be easy.
| POLL | ||
MAI 2 | 56 ANSWERS Tom Wilson's hit helped turns the tide as the Washington Capitals advance to face the Carolina Hurricanes Do you think the Washington Capitals can beat the Carolina Hurricanes in round 2 of the NHL playoffs? | ||
| Yes | 51 | 91.1 % |
| No | 5 | 8.9 % |
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