The Washington Capitals, winners of the Metropolitan Division, will host the visiting Carolina Hurricanes in game one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Thursday night. The Capitals swept the four game season series including back to back wins in late March that all but eliminated any chance for the Hurricanes to win the division.
On paper, Washington is the favorite to win the series. They have been to the playoffs in 10 of the last 11 seasons and have talent up and down their roster. Advancing in the playoffs is never a simple task and for the Hurricanes to do this, they need to get a win in Washington early in the series.