AROUND THE NHL Wednesday’s playoff games
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Hurricanes 4, Capitals 3, 2OT
WASHINGTON
Jordan Staal tied it in the third period, Brock McGinn scored in the second overtime and the Carolina Hurricanes stormed back to stun the Washington Capitals in Game 7 to eliminate the defending Stanley Cup champions. McGinn scored 11:05 into the second extra period, and Petr Mrazek made 34 saves to continue an upset-heavy first round of the NHL playoffs. Carolina had the first nine shots of the first OT and 11 of 15 total. Carolina showed the same never-quit attitude that helped it end the NHL’s longest playoff drought after a decade by forcing a deciding seventh game and erasing a 3-1 deficit in it. Top-line forwards Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen beat surprisingly shaky Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby, who allowed four goals on 42 shots. With all four wild-card teams winning, Carolina now faces former Capitals coach Barry Trotz and the New York Islanders in the second round starting Friday in Brooklyn.
Associated Press