Hurricanes knock out Capitals, advance to Eastern Conference finals

Andrei Svechnikov's goal with 1:59 remaining lifted the visiting Carolina Hurricanes to a series-clinching 3-1 victory over the Washington Capitals in Thursday's Game 5 of the teams' best-of-seven second-round series in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Svechnikov's eighth tally of the postseason was assisted by Sean Walker and Seth Jarvis, who added an empty-net goal in the final minute. Jordan Staal scored his first goal of the postseason, while Frederik Anderson stopped 18 shots for the Hurricanes.

Anthony Beauvillier lit the lamp for the first time since the Capitals' playoff opening game on April 21. Goalie Logan Thompson made 18 saves.

The Hurricanes advanced to their second Eastern Conference finals in three seasons by converting two sharp-angle shots. Svechnikov scored the game-winner from near the goal line along the dashers on a give-and-go from Walker.

Staal put Carolina up midway through the first period. His shot from below the faceoff dot beat Thompson on the far side with 10:22 left.

Beauvillier, promoted to the Capitals' top line for Game 6, gave Washington its initial first-period goal of the series four minutes later to tie the game. He took advantage of a bad bounce on Jaccob Slavin's pass behind the goal that caromed in front of the net with 6:19 remaining.

Both teams had opportunities leading up to Svechnikov's game-winner. An out-of-position Thompson made a diving save on Logan Stankhoven's point-blank shot in the final minute of the first period, with the goalie's stick deflecting the puck away from an open net.

Matt Roy appeared to give Washington the lead less than three minutes into the second period, but Carolina won a replay challenge showing Connor McMichael was barely offside moments earlier. Then, just before the buzzer, Jarvis beat Thompson, but the puck bounced off the crossbar.

Carolina advances to its sixth conference final since relocating from Hartford, Conn., in 1997. They will face either the defending Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers or the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Panthers hold a 3-2 series lead heading into Friday's game in Sunrise, Fla.

--Field Level Media