In the 2018 playoffs, the Capitals defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets, Pittsburgh Penguins, Lightning and Vegas Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup for the first time in their 44-season history. The Hurricanes are the next roadblock to a second NHL championship.

In 2024-25, the Washington Capitals enjoyed their best regular season since 2021. After re-tooling the roster with some big additions in free agency, the Caps ended the season as the top team in the Eastern Conference.

After a thrilling first night, the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs continues Tuesday with a pair of series-opening games. First up is the Metro Division matchup pitting the Carolina Hurricanes against the Washington Capitals (7 p.

WASHINGTON -- Jaccob Slavin scored at 3:06 of overtime, giving the Carolina Hurricanes a 2-1 win against the Washington Capitals in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Second Round at Capital One Arena on Tuesday. Slavin won it with a shot from the right point that got through traffic and under the right pad of Capitals goalie Logan Thompson.

Jaccob Slavin scored in overtime, Frederik Andersen made 13 saves in his return from injury and the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Washington Capitals 2-1 in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series.

Carolina remains the only team perfect on the penalty kill this postseason, keeping Washington’s power play off the board twice to improve to 17 of 17.