The Washington Capitals aimed to level the series when they went up against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 4 of the NHL playoffs on May 12.
After suffering a disappointing 4-0 loss to Carolina in Game 3—their first playoff shutout since 2020—Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery maintained a positive outlook for the team.
“I’ve always valued our players’ confidence; they believe that in any situation against any opponent, we can win against anyone in this league, and we’ve demonstrated that throughout the season,” Carbery shared with reporters.
Despite this optimism, Washington ultimately lost to the Hurricanes 5-2 in Game 4.
Despite the Capitals’ overall lackluster performance on Monday night, Alex Ovechkin, who set a new record for all-time goals during the regular season, scored for the first time in this second-round series.
The team captain’s goal in the third period not only narrowed the score to 3-2 but also established a new NHL record. The Capitals announced, “Ovechkin scores his fifth goal of the playoffs, surpassing Mario Lemieux (76) for the 12th-most playoff goals in NHL history.”
Additionally, Ovechkin has overtaken Nicklas Lindstrom (30) and Joe Pavelski (30) for the fifth-most playoff power-play goals in NHL history.
While Ovechkin’s achievements solidify his legacy in hockey, the 39-year-old would be the first to emphasize that he prioritizes team victories over personal milestones.
Unfortunately, the Hurricanes, known for their high shot volume, have continually forced Washington into a defensive stance, hindering Ovechkin’s ability to score.
Now, Ovechkin and the Capitals are faced with a must-win Game 5 when the series shifts back to Washington on Thursday, May 14.
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