The Carolina Hurricanes kicked off the month of April with a game on Wednesday, April 2 against the Washington Capitals. Both teams came into the game looking to take a 2-1 regular-season series lead. Also, both teams looked to further their point totals as we have fewer than 10 games left before the 2025 NHL Playoffs. Also, the Hurricanes were looking to get at least a point to punch their ticket to the playoffs. After the final whistle, the Hurricanes defeated the Capitals to win 5-1 and clinched a playoff berth.
Game Recap
The first period was all Hurricanes as they scored three goals in the first 20 minutes of the game. They outshot the Capitals 12-5,
which saw the team score not one, but two power-play goals in the process. Before those goals, however, Sean Walker started the goal party for Carolina unassisted just 6:14 into the game after a brutal turnover by the Capitals. After he stole the puck, Walker went into the zone and beat Logan Thompson to make it a 1-0 game.
Jackson Blake scored the first power-play goal at 10:11 into the period to make it five straight games with a power-play marker for the Hurricanes. Seth Jarvis made it two for two just three minutes later to give him his 30th goal of the season. The Jarvis goal made it 3-0, with the Hurricanes making their chance to punch their ticket to the playoffs that much easier.
Related: Hurricanes & Jarvis Defeat the Islanders 6-4 for 45th Win
The second period saw the Hurricanes add another goal to make it a 4-0 game. A great steal and pass from Jack Roslovic set up Logan Stankoven who scored his 12th goal of the season. The Hurricanes were a team possessed as they looked poised with nine games left in the regular season. Alexander Ovechkin scored his 39th of the season on a 5-on-3 power play to get him within three goals from breaking the goals record. The Hurricanes finished the second period up 4-1 with 20 minutes left.
The final period saw the Hurricanes keep up the intensity to not let the Capitals get back in the game. Blake scored once again on the power play for his second goal of the game. Also, it was the Hurricanes’ third power-play goal of the night. All night, Frederik Andersen was stellar in the net for the home team. There were a plethora of fights once the Hurricanes were up 5-1. Multiple guys got game misconducts as the last half of the third period took forever to end. However, it finally did, and the Hurricanes claimed their 46th win of the season to go 30-8-1 at home and 46-24-4 on the season.
Related: Carolina Hurricanes’ 3 Stars of March
For the seventh consecutive season, the Hurricanes have punched their ticket to the NHL Playoffs. Before their current seven-season run, they only visited the playoffs five times in franchise history. Now, they are seven-for-seven in the Rod Brind’Amour era. Carolina, get ready for more postseason hockey.
Packing up for the Road
The Hurricanes (46-24-4) finish the four-game homestand and now head on the road for a Friday and Saturday back-to-back in Detroit and Boston. They take on the Red Wings (34-33-7) on Friday, April 4 for a 7 p.m. Eastern puck drop. They hope to get above .500 on the road as their record is 16-16-3. Regarding the Capitals (48-18-9), they head back home to take on the Chicago Blackhawks (21-44-9) on Friday, April 4. That game is set for a 7 p.m. Eastern start also.
