---
The Carolina Hurricanes (16-16-2) host the Washington Capitals (16-17-2) at PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C. on Tuesday.
Both teams are tied for second place in the NHL's Southeast Division with 34 points apiece, so this will be another crucial game for both teams as they trail the first-place Winnipeg Jets by four points.
Carolina holds an advantage at this point with one game-in-hand on the Capitals and three games-in-hand on the Jets.
However, while the Hurricanes have struggled with a 2-7-1 record over their last 10 games, the Capitals are on the upswing with a 6-3-1 showing during their last 10 outings.
Almost ready for puck drop here.
Follow game-time musings on Twitter @pksport
Period summaries will be provided on the fly from there.
---
1st Period
A good hard-working period for the Hurricanes as they outshot the Capitals 10-4 and were rewarded with two goals both coming from Jiri Tlusty.
Tlusty's goals came at 11:32 into the period on a rebound after Alex Semin's pass from the boards to Washington goaltender Braden Holtby's left was tipped by defenseman Bobby Sanguinetti who jumped into the play.
After Holtby made the save, Tlusty cleaned up the rebound by sliding between the netminders legs to put Carolina ahead 1-0.
On the the power play, Tlusty connected on a slap shot from the top of the left faceoff circle after new Hurricanes defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron slid him the puck from the point.
The goal put Carolina ahead 2-0, but the Capitals were making several rushes into the Carolina zone that kept goalie Dan Ellis busy throughout the period.
With less than a minute to play, Alex Ovechkin snapped a shot inside the right top post over Ellis' shoulder to bring the Caps to within one goal.
No comfort level for Carolina after twenty minutes.
They still got pushed around more than they should have with some early hits that went unpenalized.
Best evidence of that was Ovechkin catching Jeff Skinner with a high stick to the face in front of Ellis, that all four officials figured didn't warrant a call.
No rebuttal from Carolina didn't help their case as teams have taken shots at them all season.
Not a cause for a brawl, but it's always nice to send a message that you won't be pushed around.
This could be the only element that the Hurricanes have not shown all season and will be necessary for them to earn a playoff spot.
More action to come soon.
End of Period: Carolina 2, Washington 1
---
2nd Period
Another fast-paced period that generated shots and opportunities from both teams, and with Washington getting better results.
Even while being outshot 14-7, the Capitals scored four goals to Carolina's one.
The Capitals started the scoring in the period just 42 seconds into it as Mike Green's power play goal tied the score 2-2 on a setup from Nicklas Backstrom which set him up to unleash a point shot that beat Ellis.
Tlusty completed his first-ever NHL hat trick just over a minute later at 1:52 scoring the Hurricanes' second power play goal of the night.
The goal was well set up on a play initiated by Semin along the boards to Holtby's right side.
Semin slid a crisp cross-slot pass to Eric Staal who was standing in the opposite corner, and who then found Tlusty wide open on the top of the crease with ample space to put it past a sliding Holtby.
Seemingly in control of the game at the time, turnovers cost the Hurricanes on two different occasions as goals from Green and Ward sandwiched a goal from Ovechkin that put the Capitals ahead 5-3 by the end of the period.
Even while the period maintained a high intensity and tempo from both teams, the game was brought to a complete stop when Hurricanes defenseman Joni Pitkanen crashed into the boards awkwardly while chasing down the puck in his end during a delayed icing call.
Pitkanen writhed in complete pain after suffering what seemed like a knee/upper leg injury.
After he was carted off the ice on a stretcher, play continued which included the Capitals scoring the final goal of the period from Ward with 45 seconds left on the clock.
End of Period: Washington 5, Carolina 3
---
3rd Period
A hard-fought period as the Hurricanes outshot the Caps 10-8, but with no tangible results or goals.
The team has now only won once in its last ten games, posting a 1-8-1 record while still being only four points behind the Jets and now trailing the Capitals by two points as well.
Final words from coach Kirk Muller:
“Somewhere along the stretch, something’s gotta’ give and some break’s gonna’ happen for us and it will turn us. Usually you get rewarded somewhere. We’re being tested now and I’d call a spade a spade if we didn’t play well, but there’s been a few games lately that we’re not getting points that we deserve better.”
Final: Washington 5, Carolina 3
---
Carolina Hurricanes Examiner
Raleigh Sports Examiner on Facebook
Raleigh Sports Examiner on Twitter @pksport
The Raleigh Sports Examiner - Sports with a Local Twist
Raleigh Sport Examiner - You Tube channel
Carolina Lacrosse Network---
