The Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals meet in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at Capital One Arena, with Carolina looking to extend their series lead after a dramatic 2–1 overtime win in Game 1. That opening contest was a tightly contested defensive battle, decided by goaltender excellence and opportunistic scoring—both trademarks of Carolina’s style under Rod Brind’Amour. The Hurricanes executed their defensive game plan to near perfection, keeping the Capitals’ high-powered top line largely in check while goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov delivered a game-stealing performance, turning aside 45 of 46 shots and giving his team the edge in a game where they were slightly out-chanced. Carolina’s depth scoring also shined, as their balanced forward group, known for wearing opponents down with relentless puck pressure and smart forechecking, created the overtime-winning moment with a simple yet effective attack from the second line. On the other hand, the Capitals now face a must-win scenario at home before heading to Raleigh down 0–2—a scenario they’d desperately like to avoid, especially given how strong Carolina is on home ice. Washington was the more aggressive team offensively in Game 1, putting up over 40 shots, but their inability to capitalize on those chances was the difference, and it raised concerns about their shot quality and finishing. Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov had flashes but couldn’t break through, and the power play—so effective during the regular season at a 23.5% clip—was neutralized by Carolina’s penalty kill.

Defensively, Washington played a solid game, limiting odd-man rushes and minimizing penalties, but when it came to closing, they didn’t have an answer for Carolina’s depth and Kochetkov’s hot glove. From a betting standpoint, Carolina has covered the puck line in four of the last six meetings between these two clubs, and their low-event, defensively disciplined brand of hockey has kept totals under in four of the last six head-to-heads. The Capitals were 46–36 ATS during the regular season, but their 1–0 series deficit and the psychological pressure of falling behind at home could make them more aggressive early, potentially opening up the game. Expect Game 2 to again be a close, low-scoring contest dictated by special teams execution, goaltending, and the ability to manage momentum swings. If Carolina can continue clogging the neutral zone and frustrate the Capitals’ top scorers while getting timely contributions from players like Sebastian Aho or Teuvo Teravainen, they’ll have a great chance to steal another road game and take a commanding grip on the series. But Washington, battle-tested and capable of explosive offense, will look to adjust their attack patterns, generate more high-danger chances from the slot, and rely on Ovechkin and company to tilt the ice early. The chess match between Carolina’s system-based discipline and Washington’s star-driven attack sets up another compelling playoff tilt between two franchises with legitimate Stanley Cup aspirations.