Thompson made a glove save on Jackson Blake off a rush, but Ehlers popped in the rebound near the right post to cut the lead to 2-1 at 13:56.
Thompson, however, made 13 saves in the second period and another 10 in the third.
“I was able to see everything tonight,” Thompson said. “So, I think it’s a credit to the five guys in front of me, making my life easy tonight.”
Carolina thought it tied the game at 8:10 after the puck poked through Thompson’s pad and settled close to the goal line. Following an official review, though, the referees ruled the puck did not entirely cross the goal line.
The Capitals then made it 3-1 on the power play at 5:46 of the third period. Andersen stopped Ryan Leonard’s shot from the slot, but Chychrun was left alone in front and scored on the rebound. The goal was Chychrun’s 100th in the NHL.
“They’re obviously a very aggressive PK, and we were able to make a play when we needed to and got a few good looks. Nice that one of them went in,” Chychrun said.
Ovechkin scored an empty-net goal, his 901st career goal, with 31 seconds remaining for the 4-1 final.
NOTES: Carlson extended his point streak to four games (two goals, four assists). … Matt Roy played a season-high 25:15. … Brind’Amour did not have an update on Andersen after the game. … Hurricanes defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere returned to the lineup after missing six games with a lower-body injury. He had an assist and one shot in 20:00. … Ehlers extended his point streak to five games (three goals, three assists).
