Washington Capitals on the Brink: Can Lineup Shake-Up Spark a Comeback Against the Hurricanes?
“We’re confident in our group. We’ve had resiliency all year. We love each other in here. We just want to go and leave it all out there and start to slowly try and push them out of the series.”
Tom Wilson on tomorrow’s must-win Game 5 for Washington.#ALLCAPS | @MedStarHealth pic.twitter.com/cywUGmgCf2
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) May 14, 2025
The Washington Capitals, who dominated the Eastern Conference all season, are now just one loss away from elimination. Trailing the Carolina Hurricanes 3-1 in their second-round NHL playoff series, the Capitals are struggling to find their rhythm. Their typically potent offense has been stifled, largely due to Carolina’s aggressive and disciplined defense. The Hurricanes’ penalty kill is operating at a staggering 92.6%, effectively neutralizing Washington’s power play and contributing to the Capitals’ frustration.
Carolina’s defense has been relentless. In Game 4, each time Washington narrowed the gap, the Hurricanes quickly responded, shutting down momentum. The Capitals’ power play, once a key weapon, has been rendered ineffective, and the team has been outscored 9-2 in Games 3 and 4, both played in Raleigh.
Despite the grim outlook, forward Tom Wilson remains hopeful. In a message posted on the team’s official ‘X’ handle, Wilson emphasized the group’s unity and resilience. He expressed belief in the team’s ability to claw back into the series, starting with a must-win Game 5 on home ice.
In an attempt to reverse their fortunes, head coach Spencer Carbery made notable adjustments during Wednesday’s practice. Anthony Beauvillier was moved up to play alongside Dylan Strome and team captain Alex Ovechkin, who sat out practice for maintenance but is expected to play. Connor McMichael is shifting back to his natural center position on the third line, while Andrew Mangiapane and Ryan Leonard join him. Another change sees Aliaksei Protas skating with Pierre-Luc Dubois and Tom Wilson, while Lars Eller has been dropped from his previous third-line role due to limited production in the playoffs.
The Capitals are aware of the odds—overcoming a 3-1 series deficit is rare in NHL history. However, they’re focused on a simple message: win Game 5. Back on home ice, they aim to generate some offense, rally the fans, and force a Game 6 back in Raleigh. This season, the Capitals only lost three consecutive games once, suggesting there’s still a glimmer of hope.
Meanwhile, Tom Wilson added more drama to the series with a viral moment in Game 4. In a heated exchange with Carolina’s Jordan Staal, Wilson exaggerated contact, pretending to be hit in a theatrical manner. Then, in a mocking gesture, he performed a parody of the Hurricanes’ post-win “Storm Surge” celebration right in front of their bench. The move quickly went viral.
Carolina wasn’t amused. They responded on social media with a sharp jab: “Bro knew the game was over so early he did the Surge in the 2nd period.” The post drew widespread attention, highlighting the intensity and emotion surrounding the series.
Wilson has a history of stirring up viral moments—his antics are polarizing but undeniably entertaining. Yet, while his latest stunt grabbed headlines, the Capitals still face a daunting task: beat a locked-in Hurricanes team three straight times or watch their season end. Game 5 will reveal whether the lineup changes and Wilson’s spark can breathe life back into Washington’s fading playoff hopes.