The Washington Capitals suffered a tough 5-2 loss in Game 4 of their second-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes, putting them in a 3-1 series deficit. This defeat marked their second consecutive loss on the road after splitting the first two games at home.
Jakob Chychurn and Alex Ovechkin managed to find the back of the net for the Capitals, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Hurricanes’ offense, which saw goals from Shayne Gostisbehere, Seth Jarvis, Taylor Hall, Sean Walker, and Andrei Svechnikov.
Let’s take a closer look at the three Washington Capitals players who had a tough outing in Game 4:
### 3. Alexander Alexeyev
Alexander Alexeyev had minimal ice time in Game 4, playing just 5:48 across eight shifts. With the Capitals essentially playing with five defensemen, Alexeyev’s role has diminished, making him expendable. It might be time for the Capitals to consider giving Dylan McIlrath more playing time in place of Alexeyev.
### 2. Nic Dowd
Nic Dowd’s performance in Game 4 left much to be desired, as he and his fourth-line teammates were caught out of position leading to Carolina goals. Dowd’s defensive lapses allowed the Hurricanes to capitalize on their speed and create scoring opportunities. The Capitals need more reliability from their fourth line to avoid being exploited by opponents.
### 1. Logan Thompson
Starting goaltender Logan Thompson had a tough night against the Hurricanes, letting in a couple of goals he would have wanted back. While not entirely at fault for every goal, Thompson could have made key saves that might have changed the outcome of the game. The Capitals will need Thompson to bounce back in Game 5 to keep their playoff hopes alive.
The Capitals now head back home for Game 5 with their season on the line, looking to force a Game 6 in Carolina. They’ll need improved performances from key players to turn the series around and stay alive in the playoffs.
