Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals` playoff journey ended Thursday night as the Carolina Hurricanes secured their spot in the Eastern Conference Final.
In this decisive game for the Capitals, the score was tied until Andrei Svechnikov netted the winning goal with only 1:59 left, his eighth of the playoffs. Seth Jarvis sealed the 3-1 victory for the Hurricanes with an empty-net goal, silencing the Washington crowd at Capital One Arena moments before the game`s conclusion.
After the loss, Ovechkin surveyed the arena, shaking his head in disappointment. This marked a bitter end to an otherwise remarkable season for the Capitals captain. Despite setting the NHL`s all-time goals record and guiding Washington to the top regular-season record in the East, their playoff run concluded in the second round with a 4-1 series defeat.
Carolina`s captain, Jordan Staal, scored the game`s first goal. The Hurricanes also benefited from another outstanding performance in net by Frederik Andersen. Anthony Beauvillier scored the lone goal for Washington.
Tristan Blackwood