Capitals edge Hurricanes in shootout to end two-game slide

Darcy Kuemper made 28 saves to help the visiting Washington Capitals rally for a 2-1 shootout win against the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday in Raleigh, N.C.

Evgeny Kuznetsov scored the lone goal in the shootout and Martin Fehervary scored in regulation for the Capitals, who won for the first time in three games.

Sebastian Aho scored and Pyotr Kochetkov made 20 saves for the Hurricanes, who lost in a tiebreaker for the second straight game.

Brady Skjei appeared to open the scoring for the home side midway through the first period on a one-timer from the right circle on the power play. The officials huddled and the goal was waved off due to goaltender interference, with Stefan Noesen bumping into Kuemper on the play.

The Hurricanes came out with jump in the second period. After an early chance from Jalen Chatfield streaking in at top speed, Carolina kept the foot on the pedal and controlled the play. The Hurricanes spent a stint of over two minutes in the offensive zone that kept the Capitals hemmed in until Kuemper was able to hold onto a save to stop the clock.

It took just over six minutes into the frame for Washington to record its first shot on goal of the period after the Hurricanes put up six.

Carolina finally connected at 7:41, courtesy of Aho.

Pressure by Noesen behind the net forced Capitals defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk into a quick rim along the boards that Seth Jarvis intercepted. Jarvis then dished to an uncovered Aho in the slot for a 1-0 Hurricanes lead.

Fehervary tied it for Washington at 11:33. Tom Wilson took a pass from Dylan Strome just inside the blue line and sent it over to Fehervary, who had a wide-open lane up the middle and skated into the slot before beating Kochetkov glove side.

That gave the Capitals life as they pulled even in shots in the period after trailing 7-1. They came close to taking the lead with five minutes to go on Anthony Mantha's shot from the high slot that hit the crossbar and the left post.

The Hurricanes pushed for the go-ahead goal in the third, outshooting Washington 13-5, but couldn't beat Kuemper.