Hurricanes Seize Control as Capitals Collapse in Game 4: Is It Too Late for a Comeback?
For a brief moment, the Washington Capitals looked like they had cracked the Carolina Hurricanes’ code. After dropping Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Second Round series 2-1, the Caps responded swiftly with a 3-1 win in Game 2. But any hopes of momentum were swiftly crushed. With Carolina now holding a commanding 3-1 series lead following a dominant 5-2 win in Game 4, Washington’s playoff run is slipping away fast.
Despite identifying the issues—execution, turnovers, and missed opportunities—head coach Spencer Carbery hasn’t found the antidote. When asked whether poor execution is the main issue, Carbery didn’t deflect. “Yeah, I mean, that’s pretty accurate,” he said postgame, acknowledging that Carolina is capitalizing where Washington is faltering.
The Game 4 loss, while less brutal than the Game 3 shutout, still exposed deep cracks in the Capitals’ foundation. They’ve now allowed nine goals in two games while scoring just twice themselves. Carolina, on the other hand, looks poised, sharp, and relentless.
With Alex Ovechkin unable to ignite the spark and key players underperforming, the question looms: is this a coaching failure or a player problem? Carbery’s system delivered results in the regular season, but under playoff pressure, the execution has vanished.
The Capitals are now on the brink of elimination. They’ll need a complete turnaround—strategically and mentally—to keep their postseason alive. But with Carolina smelling blood, that might be a tall order.
The clock is ticking—and Game 5 could be their last.