In Washington Thursday, the Carolina Hurricanes shook off some doldrums from recent games and posted a 3-1 win over the Capitals.
Scott Darling played well for the Canes in net and made 27 saves to get the win.
“They’ve been playing great. They’re a great team,” Darling said. “Every streak has to come to an end, so I’m happy that we were the ones to do it.”
Jordan Staal posted the Canes to a 1-0 lead and and Sebastian Aho scored an empty net goal late to seal the win.
“Two points in regulation is the only way you can really make up any ground,” Hurricanes head coach Bill Peters said. “The overtime point or the three-point game doesn’t do much for you. We were up one late in the Washington game at home (on Jan. 2) with probably seven, eight, nine minutes to go and [lost 5-4 in overtime]. That’s how close it is. That’s the reality of it.”
Victor Rask struck for the game-winner midway through the third period.
“I’m not sure how it got to me,” Rask said. “But (Justin) Faulk shot it and somehow it bounced straight out to me, and I just tried to put it on net.”
Lars Eller had the lone Caps goal in the loss.
The Caps dropped to 27-14-3 with the end of their five-game win streak.
[WATCH: All Hurricanes vs. Capitals highlights]
Braden Holtby made 30 saves in taking the loss.
“We’re going to have to tighten up a few areas. They were just a little more desperate in the battle. And then special teams got the shorthanded goal for them. We weren’t good enough,” Washington head coach Barry Trotz said after the game.
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