Washington Capitals: Top 3 studs against Hurricanes

The Washington Capitals got a big road win 4-2 over the Carolina Hurricanes to put them at first place in not only the Metropolitan Division but the entire NHL.

The first period was scoreless. The Caps would score two quick goals in the second period just like the other night. The other night it was solely Alex Ovechkin. This time it was Ovechkin and Aliaksei Protas 59 seconds apart.

The third period featured plenty of fireworks, particularly from the Hurricanes bench. But first the Canes tied it up with goals from Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Nino Niederreiter. Then the Caps got a clutch goal from Dmitry Orlov and watched a late game meltdown from the home team’s coach. John Carlson put it away with an empty netter.

Here were the top 3 studs in the Caps 4-2 win.

#3 Aliaksei Protas

Aliaksei Protas finished off a two goals in 59 second stretch with a sharp angle shot that bounced off a defender into the net. It was a lucky bounce but a goal is a goal. Protas talked to the media about his first NHL goal:

"“It feels unreal. I had real good chances created by Ovi and Kuzy in first period so just couldn’t get in so I just tried to put the puck in the net and try to play a little more simple and it got in. It’s unreal feeling.”"