The Washington Capitals must win Game 5 at Capital One Arena on Thursday night to avoid elimination and keep their playoff hopes alive.
A win would extend their second-round matchup with the Carolina Hurricanes and force at least a Game 6, which the NHL has scheduled for Saturday, May 17, at Lenovo Center. That game would begin at 8:00 p.m. and air nationally on ABC and ESPN+.
If the Capitals can string together two more victories — including what would be their first-ever playoff win in Raleigh — they would push the series to a decisive Game 7 back in Washington, with a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals on the line.
Washington has only rallied from a 3-1 series deficit twice in franchise history — in 1988 against the Flyers and in 2009 against the Rangers. Historically, such comebacks are rare in the NHL, with only 32 out of 352 teams (9.1%) managing to win a best-of-seven series after trailing 3-1.
Capitals-Hurricanes Potential Game 6 Set for 8 p.m. ET on Saturday
NEW YORK (May 15, 2025) – The National Hockey League has announced that, if necessary, Game 6 of the Second Round series between the Washington Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes will begin at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 17, in Raleigh.
In the United States, the game will be broadcast on ABC and ESPN+, while viewers in Canada can watch on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.
