Thursday night, the Caps clinched the Metro Division title for the fourth consecutive year. Additionally, the Carolina Hurricanes returned to the postseason for the first time in a decade, closing the deal on the first wild-card spot in the East.
This matchup has been brewing for a while, but we finally have the game dates for the first round of the playoffs. The Caps will open their defense of the Stanley Cup Thursday, April 11 at 7:30 PM.
Game One – Thursday, April 11 at 7:30 PM at Washington, broadcast on NBC Sports Washington, USA, SportsNet 360, TVA Sports
Game Two – Saturday, April 13, 3:00 PM at Washington, broadcast on NBC, SportsNet, TVA Sports
Game Three – Monday, April 15, 7:00 PM at Carolina, broadcast on NBC Sports Washington, CNBC, SportsNet, TVA Sports
Game Four – Thursday April 18, 7:00 PM at Carolina, broadcast on NBC Sports Washington, SportsNet 360, TVA Sports
*Game Five – Saturday, April 20, TBD at Washington, broadcast TBD
*Game Six – Monday, April 22, TBD at Carolina, broadcast on NBC Sports Washington
*Game Seven – Wednesday, April 24, TBD at Washington, broadcast on NBC Sports Washington
For those among us who celebrate Passover, schedule that weekend Seder early or super late, because Game Five is scheduled right around sundown.
Game 5 of Caps series sort of conflicts with those having a second night Passover Seder. No time yet, but probably either 3 pm (can start Seder late?) or 8 pm (get started early?).
— Eric Fingerhut (@ericfingerhut) April 7, 2019
This isn’t the first time the playoffs have conflicted with the holiday, because in 2016 fans had to choose between Passover seders and Game Five.
Washington will host Games One and Two and, if necessary, Game Five and Game Seven of the first round.
The Capitals won all four of their regular season games against the Canes, a 6-5 win and a 3-1 win in December and more recently a 4-1 win and a 3-2 win in March.
All-time against the Hurricanes, the Caps hold a winning head-to-head record of 98-54-14, but the two teams have never met before in the playoffs.
The stage is set! #CapsCanes
See you Thursday.https://t.co/dOTl4Co4xI#ALLCAPS #Back2Back pic.twitter.com/e6Mwd9cTU3
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 7, 2019
Headline photo: Elizabeth Kong
