Capitals Praise Unlikely Hero After Game 2 Win vs. Hurricanes

The Washington Capitals tied their second-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes with a 3-1 win in Game 2 on Thursday, thanks to a standout performance from Tom Wilson.

The veteran forward had a primary assist on the game-winning power-play goal by John Carlson and added an empty-netter to seal the result.

Wilson’s contributions earned him First Star honors as the best player of the game and drew high praise from his head coach and teammates, including captain Alex Ovechkin.

“He set the tone,” Ovechkin said. “He’s our leader.”

Goaltender Logan Thompson, who made 27 saves in the win, echoed the sentiment.

“He does everything the right way,” Thompson said. “We build off it. Big part of why we won tonight.”

Ovechkin on Tom Wilson: “He set the tone, he our leader.”— Sammi Silber 🏒 (@sammisilber) May 9, 2025

Head coach Spencer Carbery credited Wilson for driving the team’s response after a lackluster Game 1.

“I thought he was leading the charge tonight,” Carbery said of Wilson. “Even before the play he makes on the power play and on the empty netter, I just thought he was really engaged. 

”And his line was good tonight; they did some good things forecheck wise and [offensive] zone wise. They were just a touch off on a few plays, him and [Pierre-Luc Dubois and Connor McMichael]. He was good tonight.”

Tom Wilson on setting the tone tonight: "I don't think I'm really doing anything more than everybody else on our team. There's a full buy-in to be playing at this time of year. That's the expectation of our group."

Said that Alex Ovechkin is the example he follows.— Sammi Silber 🏒 (@sammisilber) May 9, 2025

Wilson returned the compliment to his longtime captain and all-time goal-scorer.

“It starts with Ovi,” Wilson said. “He goes out there and sets the tone every night.”

Wilson’s impact wasn’t limited to the scoresheet, as he also logged three shots, two hits, and two blocked shots.

The veteran leads the team in hits this postseason with 27 and has seven points in seven playoff games.

“There’s a full buy-in to be playing at this time of year,” Wilson said. “That’s the expectation of our group.”

Game 3 between the Capitals and Hurricanes is set for Saturday in Raleigh with the two teams aiming at breaking the 1-1 tie.

Related: Capitals Send Fiery 1-Word Message After Game 2 Win vs. Hurricanes