The Carolina Hurricanes will try to reach the Eastern Conference final for the second time in three seasons when they visit the Washington Capitals on Thursday night.
The Hurricanes hold a 3-1 lead in the second-round series after winning Games 1, 3 and 4.
Carolina has played a smothering defensive style and limited the NHL’s No. 2 regular-season offense to six goals, one of them an empty-netter, in four games. The Capitals are averaging fewer than 20 shots a game. NHL all-time leading goal scorer Alex Ovechkin has one goal on 11 shots.
Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen has a 1.24 goals-against average and .934 save percentage in the second round.
USA TODAY will provide live updates of Game 5 between the Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals. Follow along:
What time is Hurricanes vs. Capitals Game 5?
Game 5 of the Hurricanes-Capitals series will start at 7 p.m. ET at Washington.
How to watch Hurricanes vs. Capitals playoff game: TV, stream
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Location: Capital One Arena in Washington
TV: TNT, TruTV
Stream: Sling TV, Max
Carolina Hurricanes lines
Alexander Nikishin making NHL debut
The 6-4 Russian defenseman was taken by Carolina in the third round in the 2020 draft. The 23-year-old had been playing with St. Petersburg SKA in the Kontinental Hockey League. Jalen Chatfield had been banged up recently.
Capitals call up goaltender
The Capitals have recalled goaltender Clay Stevenson from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League, but coach Spencer Carbery says No. 1 goalie Logan Thompson is fine. The move was made, Carbery said, because backup Charlie Lindgren is dealing with personal stuff.