After knocking off the Canadiens in five games, Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals will match up against Sebastian Aho and the extremely in form Carolina Hurricanes as the first round two series of the NHL playoffs is locked in.
Following the 4-1 dismantling of the Montreal Canadiens in game five of the series, the Presidents trophy winning Capitals advance to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2018, but with their sights set on the Stanley Cup, the Powerhouse Hurricanes stand in their way in round two.
With both teams ending their first round series in spectacular fashion, it will be a battle to remember as Rod Brind’Amour’s Hurricanes will aim to finally get over their playoff woes and advance to the conference finals. With their offense sharper than ever, Andrei Svechnikov, Seth Jarvis, and rookie Jackson Blake being the heroes of game four, the Hurricanes are a force to be reckoned with, and will definitely be a major test for Washington in round two.
But with the new all time leader in goals Alex Ovechkin, and a supporting cast of stars and grinders in Washington, their grit and blue collar play style could prove too much for Carolina, introducing the Hurricanes to a new kind of physicality.
Round one gave us a taste of what both teams offer, and what to expect in this feisty round two series. Powerhouse Tom Wilson highlighted how Washington are ready to throw their weight around, and could prove to be the decider against Carolina who often struggle with the physical game. With misconduct, interference, and plenty of roughing penalties during their round one series against Montreal, Washington wont be shy to cause some chaos in Raleigh, and given what we saw in round one, they won't hold back at rubbing the Hurricanes the wrong way.
But despite their lack of physicality and truculence against New Jersey, Carolina will be sure to surprise Washington with their speed and energy, and could easily outplay them from game one. The Hurricanes mix of playmaking, elite scoring ability, and hard work, their class may just be too much for the Capitals in round two.
With the teams lining up for an electrifying series, it is the individuals who will really make the series a good one. With Carolina star centre Sebastian Aho putting up an MVP performance in round one, and Capital goalie Logan Thompson proving he is the man for the job in between the post for Washington, it is the names on show which make this series so exciting.
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