“They’d like to do to the Canes what the Canes did to them the other night,” said the announcer as the Caps and the Canes got the puck off the blue line. So what did the Carolina Hurricanes do to the Washington Capitals in Game 1? Well, the Canes took control of the puck in the Caps’ half of the ice and fired a staggering 90 attempts in the first 60 minutes. Yet this time, Alex Ovechkin and Co. made the adjustments.

The Capitals’ defense looked far better prepared to handle the pressuring play style of their opponents. Meanwhile, their attack, led by Ovi and Tom Wilson, also looked much improved. Wilson, as usual, didn’t shy away from the hits. In fact, he took a massive one in the first period. Yet even more importantly, the alternate captain stepped up just when the Caps needed him the most, as the Canes looked to equalize with 6-on-5 play.

After conceding two goals, the Canes surged late in the third period, with Shayne Gostisbehere capitalizing during a power play. Yet, in their bid to draw level during the final moments, it was Wilson who shut out the lights. His contribution drew the ultimate praise from Alex Ovechkin. “He set the tone, he’s our leader,” said the NHL all-time leading goalscorer, as per Caps’ beat reporter Sammi Silber.

It’s a huge thing when your captain calls you the leader. That same praise coming from generational talent like Ovechkin makes it even more special. Yet, the Caps icon’s praise for Wilson didn’t stop with a single sentence. “He plays smart. He plays physical. He scored a big goal. And in the playoffs, you have to play like that,” explained the 39-year-old as per NHL.com.

It’s not surprising that Alex Ovechkin praised the alternate captain so much. Tom Wilson sealed the deal for the Capitals in the final minute of regulation, scoring the Caps’ third goal with just 59 seconds left in the third period. What’s more? The 31-year-old also blocked a couple of shots on goal and picked up the assist for John Carlson’s goal. So after making such a big impact, Ovechkin wasn’t the only one singing the winger’s praises.

Alex Ovechkin’s coach and teammates chimed in

When the 39-year-old NHL goal-scoring record holder said Wilson set the tone, he was spot on. Tom Wilson didn’t like how the Carolina Hurricanes outplayed the Caps in Game 1. “It’s not a good feeling when you go home after Game 1, and you weren’t happy with the outcome, you weren’t happy with your effort,” Wilson said after Game 2. So the NHL star was a man on a mission.

The alternate captain had one goal, and he wanted everyone, including his captain, Alex Ovechkin, on the same page. “Tonight needs to be the best game that we’ve played of the playoffs,” Wilson said on Wednesday. It was that mindset that drove everyone on the Washington Capitals squad tonight. “We knew we had to give more and be better,” the winger said in tonight’s post-game interview.

Coach Carbery also noticed his alternate captain’s leadership skills shine on the ice. “I thought he was leading the charge tonight. Even before the play he makes on the power play and on the empty netter, I just thought he was really engaged,” explained the Caps’ coach. After Game 1, Carbery could only praise goalie Logan Thompson. Thankfully, that changed tonight.

Meanwhile, the ever-reliable Logan Thompson also praised his teammate. He even cracked a joke, saying he has grown tired of praising Wilson. “I feel like I’m always talking about this guy,” joked Thompson. Jokes aside, Thompson didn’t shy away from crediting Wilson. “Like I said before, he does everything the right way. We build off it. I think the whole stadium built off it,” said Alex Ovechkin’s teammate. Now that the Caps have drawn level, they’ll aim to keep the momentum intact.