The second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs is set to get underway for the Carolina Hurricanes and the Washington Capitals. Both teams made quick work of their first-round opponents, defeating the Devils and the Canadiens in five games. The Metropolitan Division's Top 2 teams are now on a collision course, meeting for the first time in the playoffs since their seven-game war in 2019.
The division rivals met four times during the regular season, with the home team winning each meeting. The Canes owned a slight 5-4 edge in points, picking up a loser point in a shootout loss late in the season. The two sides appear evenly matched despite Washington's 12-point advantage in the standings. Here's what you need to know before the puck drops for Game 1.
The schedule
As the top seed in the Eastern Conference, the Washington Capitals earned home ice through at least the conference finals. This means the series will begin in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday at 7 pm, with Game 2 scheduled for the same time on Thursday. This weekend, the series shifts to Raleigh. Saturday night in Raleighwood will be electric for Game 3 before Game 4 on Monday.
Should the series extend past the fourth game, the Hurricanes and the Capitals will get two days off before resuming the series next Thursday in the U.S. capital. They'll continue every other day from there. Game 6 would be next Saturday at the Lenovo Center. Should it be like the 2019 series between these two, Game 7 is set for Monday, May 19th, in D.C.
The goalies
After exiting the first round early with an injury, Frederik Andersen appears poised to resume control of the net for Game 1. Andersen was magnificent in the 3+ games he played against the Devils, leading all starters in save percentage (.936) and GAA (1.59). Pyotr Kochetkov didn't look as comfortable in relief, though he did enough to get the Canes over the line in Game 5.
Logan Thompson is the likely starter for the Capitals. He started all five games against Montreal in the first round. During the four meetings in the regular season, the Hurricanes only saw Thompson once, scoring three goals and chasing him after the first period in a 5-1 Carolina victory on April 2nd. Charlie Lindgren started the other three games in the season series, winning twice.
Capitals to watch
Alex Ovechkin: It doesn't take a rocket scientist to deduce why I'm singling out the NHL's all-time goals leader. Ovechkin has made a habit of ruining Caniacs' days. He scored four times when the two teams met in 2019 and led the Capitals with nine points. Ovechkin had four goals and an assist in the first round against the Canadiens.
Tom Wilson: Few players balance top-end skill and goon-like tendencies better than Tom Wilson. Putting together a career year during the regular season, Wilson was a big part of one of the wilder moments of the opening round, getting into it with Josh Anderson on the bench after the second period of Game 3. Wilson will be a constant pest, so expect him to be in the middle of everything.
Aliaksei Protas: This season was a breakout year for Aliaksei Protas. The young Belarusian scored more goals in 76 games this season (30) than he did in his first 169 (13), as he recorded 66 points. Protas suffered an injury late in the regular season but returned in Game 5 against Montreal. He adds another interesting layer to the forward group and could be poised to continue his breakout.
Hurricanes to watch
Andrei Svechnikov: Leading the Hurricanes in goals during the first round against the Devils, Andrei Svechnikov played one of his best stretches of the season over the last five games. Most importantly, he was disciplined and didn't do anything dumb. His patience is going to be tested against the Capitals. The team's success could depend on their sniper staying within himself.
Jackson Blake: Another player who'll be in the direct line of fire against Washington is Jackson Blake. That always seems to be the case for rookies, and especially rookies with roles similar to the Canes' youngster. He'll draw some tough assignments to open the series. Blake didn't play like a rookie in the first round, but the stage only gets bigger the further you go in the playoffs.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi: Beating a team of Washington's caliber will hinge on everyone pulling their weight. One player who needs to step up his game is Jesperi Kotkaniemi. The center only had an assist in five games against New Jersey. That won't be enough in this series. As the team's 2C, Kotkaniemi needs to find a way to be impactful.
How the Hurricanes can beat the Capitals
This series will be another war between two of the division's best. While their meeting six years ago might not be the best indicator for what to expect, there are some parallels. The main difference is the level of experience from the Hurricanes. This isn't the upstart team trying to complete an upset anymore. The Canes expect to come out of this victorious.
Like most series, beating the Capitals will come down to two key areas. First, they have to win the goalie battle. Thompson was excellent in the first round, but he lacks the experience that Andersen has. Every game he plays moving forward is his biggest. Andersen outdueled Jacob Markstrom in the first round in one of the better goalie battles of the playoffs. His new contract might add incentive.
Second, the Hurricanes have to win the special teams battle. The Canes are going to take penalties. It's simply a fact of life. When they do, they can't allow Washington's power play to get hot. Similarly, the Canes' power play needs to carry their momentum from the New Jersey series. If the Canes win these two areas, they should be in a great position to reach the Eastern Conference Finals.