Preview: Round 2, Game 5 at WSH

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Carolina Hurricanes will seek a third straight win to eliminate the Washington Capitals as they face off in Game 5 at Capital One Arena on Thursday.

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When: Thursday, May 15

Puck Drop: 7:00 p.m. ET

Watch (US; CAN): TNT, truTV, Max; SN, TVAS | Learn More | Road Game HQ

Listen: 99.9 The Fan, Hurricanes App

Odds at Time of Publishing, via Fanatics Sportsbook: Canes -170

The Series So Far...

• Game 1: Jaccob Slavin came up clutch in OT to help the Canes open the series on the right foot.
• Game 2: Carolina struck late but couldn't complete the comeback in a 3-1 loss at Capital One Arena.
• Game 3: Frederik Andersen turned aside all 21 Washington shots for his fourth career playoff shutout.
• Game 4: The Hurricanes remained perfect at home this postseason, thumping the Caps in Raleigh.

Opportunity Knocks...

• With a win tonight, the Hurricanes can advance to the Eastern Conference Final for the third time in seven years.
• Carolina is 19-15 all-time in potential-clinching games, with a 10-10 record when playing on the road.
• The Canes are 1-0 in clinching games this postseason, dropping the New Jersey Devils in Game 5 of the first round.
• Additionally, Carolina has never lost a series when going up 3-1 (8-0).

Ghost's Goals...

• Shayne Gostisbehere notched his third goal of the postseason (and second of this series) to open the scoring in Game 4, putting him one shy of matching the franchise record for goals by a defenseman in a single postseason.
• The 32-year-old has recorded points in three straight games (2G, 1A) and ranks fourth on the team in playoff scoring with seven total points through nine outings.
• Gostisbehere's Game 4 marker came at 5-on-5, but he has also been the catalyst of Carolina's potent power play, with his five points on the man advantage ranking tied for first among NHL blueliners this postseason.

In Net...

• Frederik Andersen continued his stellar start to the postseason with a 19-save showing in Carolina's Game 4 victory. Having not allowed a goal since Game 2, the Dane recorded the franchise's fifth-longest playoff shutout streak at 123:24.
• At the time of publishing, Andersen leads all qualifying goalies in GAA (1.41) and save percentage (.945) during the playoffs, and has allowed multiple goals only three times in eight appearances this postseason.
• Considering that he has deployed Andersen whenever he's been available during this postseason, it seems likely that Rod Brind'Amour continues to stick with the hot hand between the pipes.

On The Other Side...

• The Metropolitan Division Champs return home with their backs against the wall, facing elimination for the first time this postseason. Head Coach Spencer Carbery has been pleased with stretches of play from his club, particularly their starts in Games 3 and 4, but says lapses have cost them against the Canes.
• “We looked excellent to start that hockey game," he said of Monday's 5-2 loss. "But then you have a shift or two shifts where you fail to exit the [defensive] zone, you just were not able to get that puck past the blueline. You don’t have to make a play; it just has to get past that blueline and it doesn’t. And now, look out."
• After netting the second-most goals in the NHL during the regular season (286), and tacking on 18 in the first round of the playoffs, the Caps' offense has dried up through the first four games of Round 2 with just six goals against Carolina. Four of those came on home ice, where Washington will hope it can find its offensive footing in Game 5.
• Carolina did an excellent job keeping Alexander Ovechkin quiet through the first three games, but the legendary goal-scorer posted his first point of the series in Game 4 with a power-play blast from his usual spot in the left circle. Washington will undoubtedly hope that goal is a sign of things to come for the "Great Eight."

Injury Updates

• Forward Jesper Fast was ruled out for the 2024-25 season in August after having neck surgery.
• Forward Mark Jankowski left Game 1 in the second period with an undisclosed injury. The forward was labeled a game-time decision for Game 2 and "doubtful" for Game 3 on Saturday morning, but did not appear in either contest. Rod Brind'Amour said on Sunday that Jankowski is "a little banged-up, still."

What Are We Wearing?

• The Canes will wear their white uniforms on the road throughout the postseason.

What's Next After This Game?

• Should the Hurricanes win and complete the series tonight, they will likely be off tomorrow as they await their upcoming Eastern Conference Final foe. Should the Capitals win, the Canes are scheduled to practice in Raleigh on Friday ahead of Game 6 at Lenovo Center on Saturday.
• Next Game (if necessary): Saturday, May 17 | Round 2, Game 6 vs. Washington | Time TBD | Tickets | Parking