Hurricanes hang big third period on Capitals for Game 6 win

RALEIGH, N.C. — Playoff hockey is a fickle thing, full of fortuitous bounces both metaphorical and literal in nature. Most of those bounces did not go the Washington Capitals‘ way in Game 6.

Instead, the Carolina Hurricanes forced a Game 7 in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs by beating the Washington Capitals 5-2 Monday night at PNC Arena.

Game 7 will be played Wednesday night at Capital One Arena. The winner will advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals to take on the New York Islanders.

The Hurricanes played the better game from the second period on and broke open a 2-2 game early in the third period. When the Capitals thought Alex Ovechkin had the tying goal, it was ruled a…