Logan Thompson was arguably the Washington Capitals’ MVP both in the regular season and the playoffs. But that dam finally broke in the Capitals’ 3-1 elimination loss in Game 5.
Thompson gave up two questionable goals to the Carolina Hurricanes from sharp angles. Andrei Svechnikov’s third-period tally with 1:59 remaining was the dagger.
Svechnikov ran a give-and-go with Sean Walker before throwing a shot on net that squeaked through Thompson. The tally was Svechnikov’s third of the series and his eighth of the playoffs — good for second-most in the league.
“It was a 3-on-2, I think, and it kicked out to my left,” Thompson said postgame. “I just lost sight of it for a second. There was kind of bodies coming in between, and it’s my job to find the lane and get my eyes on it, and he sifted it through. It was a terrible goal to give up to end a season, and I’ve got to wear that. I’m an adult. That’s on me, and I can be better.”
Thompson stopped 18 of 20 shots on the night — a .900 save percentage. The only other goal he gave up was a Jordan Staal snipe, again from the right side of the ice, where he was too deep in the net and left the far side open. Seth Jarvis added an empty netter in the final minute to send the Hurricanes to the Eastern Conference Final.
“It stings. It sucks,” Thompson said. “Credit to them. It’s a good team over there. They’re well-coached. A couple close games. I think it could’ve gone the other way. Credit to Freddie Andersen. I thought he was the better goalie this series. I think I could’ve been better and made a couple saves in Raleigh and definitely tonight. It sucks, but it’s a good team, so tip your hat to them.”
Despite the two arguable softies, Thompson was tremendous all postseason long. He stopped 1.06 goals above expected in Game 5 — including an incredible stick save to rob Logan Stankoven at the end of the first period.
In his 10 appearances in the postseason, Thompson gave up 2 or fewer goals seven times. He stopped 8.86 goals above expected in the playoffs per MoneyPuck — second only to Hurricanes’ goaltender Frederik Andersen (12.2). Andersen only gave up 6 goals in the five-game series to the Capitals.
“They’ve got a goalie that’s playing like that and has that kind of confidence, and you don’t get a ton — it’s tough to beat them when you get those chances,” Dylan Strome said.
