Context:

The Washington Capitals face the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 1 of their NHL playoff series, marking a showdown of the top two teams in the Metropolitan Division. The Capitals advanced to the second round by defeating the Canadiens, with Alex Ovechkin scoring four goals in the series. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes progressed after a dominant performance against the Devils, highlighted by Sebastian Aho's eight points and Andrei Svechnikov's five goals. The teams previously split their regular-season matchups, setting the stage for a competitive series. Game 1 will be broadcast live on ESPN and available to stream on Fubo, with the Capitals holding home-ice advantage at the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC.

Dive Deeper:

• The Capitals successfully advanced to the second round of the playoffs after a 4-1 series win over the Canadiens, showcasing a strong performance that mirrored their regular-season dominance. This victory marked their first playoff series win since their 2018 Stanley Cup triumph.

• Alex Ovechkin played a pivotal role in the Capitals' first-round success, netting four goals over the five-game series, demonstrating his consistent impact as a key offensive player.

• The Hurricanes also secured their spot in the second round with a five-game series win against the Devils, with Sebastian Aho leading the team by scoring eight points and Andrei Svechnikov contributing with five goals.

• Historically, the Capitals and Hurricanes split their regular-season matchups, indicating a well-balanced competition, and they have a notable playoff history, having faced off in a demanding seven-game series in 2019.

• Game 1 of the Capitals vs. Hurricanes series is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. ET at the Capital One Arena, where the Capitals boast a perfect home record in the ongoing playoffs, having won all three home games against the Canadiens.

• Fans can watch the game live on ESPN, while streaming options are available through Fubo, which offers a free trial for new subscribers, allowing access to a wide range of live sports and channels without cable.

• Listeners can tune into SiriusXM for live radio coverage of the game, providing comprehensive analysis and updates across multiple sports channels, with a promotional offer for new subscribers to enjoy free access for four months.

• The Capitals commence their second-round series against the Hurricanes on Tuesday night with Game 1 of their best-of-seven series. The matchup features the top two in the Metropolitan Division.

• Alex Ovechkin and company roared to a 4-1 series win over the Canadiens in the first round, looking much like the domineering outfit that rolled through the regular season. It marked Washington's first playoff series victory since 2018, when it won the Stanley Cup.

• Ovechkin scored four goals across the five-game set with the Canadiens.

• WATCH:Capitals vs. Hurricanes Game 1 LIVE on Fubo (free trial)