Caps Top Hurricanes 5-2 On Opening Night

A two-goal debut from Alex Tuch alongside an Ovechkin assist and 31 saves from Logan Thompson offered an early payoff for Washington's off-season roster changes.

Overview

Alex Tuch scored twice in his first game as a Capital on Friday night, with Alex Ovechkin recording the assist on Tuch’s opening goal as Ovechkin began his 22nd NHL season.
Washington surged to a three-goal first period and extended the lead when Jakob Chychrun scored on the power play early in the second period.
Goalie Logan Thompson made 31 saves to secure the win while Carolina’s Brandon Bussi stopped 22 shots and Sebastian Aho and Logan Stankoven provided the Hurricanes’ goals.
The Capitals took six non-offsetting penalties, including two by Cole Hutson, which kept Carolina on the power play at times and made the game more competitive.
The result gives Washington an early sign that its offseason moves can pay off and both teams head into Saturday’s games with the Capitals visiting Tampa Bay and the Hurricanes traveling to Philadelphia.