Hurricanes Heading to East Finals After Eliminating Alex Ovechkin’s Capitals in 5 Games

For the second time in the last three seasons, the Carolina Hurricanes are heading to the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Canes ran through the Washington Capitals in the conference semifinals, eliminating Alex Ovechkin and Co. in five games on Thursday evening. Rod Brind’Amour’s group won the series clincher 3-1 behind Andrei Svechnikov’s game-winner with just under two minutes remaining in the third period.

The Capitals started Game 5 hot with numerous chances in the opening period, but Jordan Staal put the Hurricanes ahead midway through the first. Anthony Beauvillier responded just minutes later for Washington before Svechnikov’s goal in the third. Seth Jarvis added an empty-netter to seal the deal.

Carolina advancing puts an end to a storybook season for Ovechkin and the Caps. The Russian superstar led his squad to a first-place finish in the Metropolitan Division, finishing 12 points clear of the Hurricanes. But this series was all Carolina.

Ovi, who became the NHL’s all-time leading scorer at the end of the campaign, struggled against Washington’s divisional rivals. He registered just one point through five games. In fact, the Capitals didn’t score more than two goals in a single contest in the second-round clash.

The Hurricanes will now await the winner of the Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Florida Panthers series. The defending Stanley Cup champions are on the verge of moving on after winning three straight against their Atlantic Division foes. Game 6 of that series takes place on Friday night at Amerant Bank Arena.

If Carolina faces the Cats again in the East Finals, it will be a rematch of 2023, when Florida won the series in four games.