Carolina Hurricanes @ Washington Capitals Game 1: Lineups, Game Preview and How to Watch

Ryan Henkel

May 6, 2025

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Ryan Henkel

May 6, 2025

Updated at May 6, 2025, 16:34

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Apr 24, 2019; Washington, DC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes left wing Brock McGinn (23) celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal on Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby (70) in the second overtime in game seven of the first round of the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena. (Geoff Burke-Imagn Images)

What - Game 1 (0-0)
When - 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 5
Where - Capital One Arena; Washington, DC
How to Watch - ESPN, Sportsnet, TVAS

The top two teams in the Metropolitan Division, the Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals, will go head-to-head in just their second ever playoff meeting starting tonight.

It will be a big test between two of the top teams in the league as each will be entering the contest with battled hardened and veteran groups.

Both teams are deep and balanced and there's plenty enough animosity to go around, so the series could very well swing in either direction.

It should be a fun, physical, back-and-forth series and the winner of it could very easily go on to win the Stanley Cup.

Buckle up for what's sure to be a wild ride.

Streaks

Sebastian Aho (3g, 5a) and Seth Jarvis (2g, 3a) have points in four straight games.
Andrei Svechnikov (4g, 1a) has points in three straight games.
Jackson Blake (1g, 2a) and Jaccob Slavin (1g, 1a) have points in back-to-back games.

It's been a pretty good week for Sebastian Aho.Not only did he lead the Carolina Hurricanes in points and score the series-clinching goal to eliminate the New Jersey Devils, but he also welcomed in his first child."It feels unreal," Aho said. "So happy that I got to be there. Timing-wise, it worked out and both mom and baby are happy and healthy. She did an amazing job and I'm really proud of her."Guys with kids here, they all said your life is going to change and for sure it did. You hold your baby for the first time, it's the best feeling in the world."Aho is the third player to have a child this season, joining other first-time dads Shayne Gostisbehere and Eric Robinson."I'm certainly happy for him," said Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour. "I'm happy to see all the guys now, as that's starting to happen a lot here in this room and we are a big family in there. It's exciting and you see it in their eyes when they show up. But it does remind you that life moves quickly. I think we do a pretty good job of that, trying to stay in the moment and enjoy every day because they do go by quick."

thehockeynews.com'It's The Best Feeling In The World': Sebastian, Rosa Aho Welcome Birth Of First ChildIt's been a pretty good week for Sebastian Aho.Not only did he lead the Carolina Hurricanes in points and score the series-clinching goal to eliminate the New Jersey Devils, but he also welcomed in his first child."It feels unreal," Aho said. "So happy that I got to be there. Timing-wise, it worked out and both mom and baby are happy and healthy. She did an amazing job and I'm really proud of her."Guys with kids here, they all said your life is going to change and for sure it did. You hold your baby for the first time, it's the best feeling in the world."Aho is the third player to have a child this season, joining other first-time dads Shayne Gostisbehere and Eric Robinson."I'm certainly happy for him," said Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour. "I'm happy to see all the guys now, as that's starting to happen a lot here in this room and we are a big family in there. It's exciting and you see it in their eyes when they show up. But it does remind you that life moves quickly. I think we do a pretty good job of that, trying to stay in the moment and enjoy every day because they do go by quick."

Milestone Watch

Frederik Andersen is one win away from passing Arturs Irbe for the second-most playoff wins in franchise history (14).
Jackson Blake scored his first career postseason goal in Game 5 against the New Jersey Devils.
Andrei Svechnikov passed Eric Staal for the second-most postseason goals in franchise history (19) in Game 5 against the New Jersey Devils. He also tied the franchise record for most goals in a playoff series (5).

Game Notes

The last two times these teams met in the postseason was 2019. Carolina qualified for the playoffs for the first time in nine years and Washington were the defending Cup champions. The Canes won the series in seven games.
While not too many players are left from either of those teams, what's notable is that two defensemen have now swapped places as Dmitry Orlov and Trevor van Riemsdyk will now be on separate sides of the series.
Jaccob Slavin (0g, 9pts in 7gp), Jack Roslovic (2g, 4pts in 4gp) and Andrei Svechnikov (2g, 3pts in 3gp) are all point-per-game players against Washington in the postseason.
Carolina killed all 15 New Jersey power play opportunities in Round 1, marking the first time in franchise history that the team has completed a playoff series without conceding a power play goal against.

Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen took part in a full team practice today and seems to be ready to go for the start of the second round series against the Washington Capitals.

thehockeynews.com'I Feel Good': Frederik Andersen Back At Practice, Ready For Round 2 SeriesCarolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen took part in a full team practice today and seems to be ready to go for the start of the second round series against the Washington Capitals.

Key Matchups

Projected Starting Goalies

Frederik Andersen: 3-1; 0.936 Sv%; 1.59 GAA
Logan Thompson: 4-1; 0.923 Sv%; 2.23 GAA

Leading Scorers

Goals - Andrei Svechnikov (5) / Alex Ovechkin (4)
Points - Sebastian Aho (8) / Dylan Strome (9)

Power Play

Carolina - 31.6% (6/19)
Washington - 23.1% (3/13)

Penalty Kill

Carolina - 100% (15/15)
Washington - 66.7% (10/15)

Hurricanes Projected Lineup

Andrei Svechnikov - Sebastian Aho - Jackson Blake
Taylor Hall - Jesperi Kotkaniemi - Logan Stankoven
Jordan Martinook - Jordan Staal - Seth Jarvis
William Carrier - Mark Jankowski - Eric Robinson

Jaccob Slavin - Brent Burn
Dmitry Orlov - Jalen Chatfield
Shayne Gostisbehere - Sean Walker

Frederik Andersen
Pyotr Kochetkov

Injuries and Scratches: Tyson Jost, Jack Roslovic, Juha Jaaska, Alexander Nikishin, Riley Stillman, Ty Smith, Spencer Martin Jesper Fast (neck)

Being a rookie in the NHL is never easy.Not only are you having to prove yourself at the highest level of hockey, but you're also having to learn how to fit in, carry yourself, be a professional and if you're coming over from Europe, then there's also the added burden of language, culture and so much more.It can be a lot for a young guy, but everyone who's played has been there before so many are willing to lend a hand or take a guy under their wing.I went around the locker room and asked each Carolina Hurricane who was the player(s) that helped them the most and some of the lessons they've carried with them. Here are their answers:

thehockeynews.comThe Mentors and Early Lessons of the Carolina HurricanesBeing a rookie in the NHL is never easy.Not only are you having to prove yourself at the highest level of hockey, but you're also having to learn how to fit in, carry yourself, be a professional and if you're coming over from Europe, then there's also the added burden of language, culture and so much more.It can be a lot for a young guy, but everyone who's played has been there before so many are willing to lend a hand or take a guy under their wing.I went around the locker room and asked each Carolina Hurricane who was the player(s) that helped them the most and some of the lessons they've carried with them. Here are their answers:

Capitals Projected Lineup

Alex Ovechkin - Dylan Strome - Anthony Beauvillier
Connor McMichael - Pierre-Luc Dubois - Tom Wilson
Andrew Mangiapane - Lars Eller - Ryan Leonard
Brandon Duhaime - Nic Dowd - Aliaksei Protas

Jakob Chychrun - John Carlson
Rasmus Sandin - Matt Roy
Alexander Alexeyev - Trevor van Riemsdyk

Logan Thompson
Charlie Lindgren

Injuries and Scratches: Ethan Bear, Ethen Frank, Dylan McIlrath, Taylor Raddysh, Nicklas Backstrom (hip), Martin Fehervary (meniscus), Sonny Milano (UBI), T.J. Oshie (back)

Be sure to check out the Carolina Hurricanes 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs Hub for all postseason stories!

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Game Day