Walker, Svechnikov score late as Hurricanes push Capitals to brink of elimination in 5-2 win

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Sean Walker cut to the middle of the ice and beat Logan Thompson for a critical late goal, then Andrei Svechnikov followed with an empty-net clincher to help the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Washington Capitals 5-2 on Monday night and take a 3-1 lead in their second-round playoff series.

Carolina improved to 5-0 at home in the playoffs and can clinch a second trip to the Eastern Conference final in three years by winning Game 5 in Washington on Thursday.

“If I'm just honest with how I feel about it, I thought our first two games (on the road) might've been better than some of these games — just the chances we've given up, a little too much here for me,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour said. “But obviously at this time of year, it's about results. I like where we're at, that's for sure.”

Walker's score was a big one, coming after the Capitals had pulled to within 3-2 on Alex Ovechkin's one-timer blast on a 5-on-3 power play with about eight minutes left. It started on a puck battle and the unusual sight of Washington's Rasmus Sandin skating in only to get the blade of his stick stuck in a gap along the boards, allowing Taylor Hall to collect the puck and flip a pass to the surging Walker up the left side.

Walker hesitated to cut behind Jack Roslovic and score at the 16:45 mark to push the lead back to 4-2, marking his first career postseason goal.

Svechnikov followed with his seventh postseason goal shortly after the Capitals pulled Thompson, the capper after Carolina twice led by two goals but had to hold on through the final 10 minutes.

“I think as a whole, we kind of kept our composure,” Walker said. “Didn't really panic, just stuck to our systems.”

Hall, Seth Jarvis and Shayne Gostisbehere also scored for the Hurricanes, while Frederik Andersen carried a shutout into the third before finishing with 19 saves.

Just as importantly, the Hurricanes twice responded as the Capitals inched within a goal in the third. Hall's score on a 1-on-1 chance came less than three minutes after Jakob Chychrun had brought the Capitals to within 2-1, sprung on a long pass from Roslovic after he was slow coming back and Washington's defense lost track of him.

Walker's score came about 4 1/2 minutes after Ovechkin's goal.

Ovechkin's blast got the NHL's career goals leader on the scoresheet for the first time this series. Thompson finished with 32 saves.

“We're giving ourselves some opportunities, we're just not executing, making the play, whatever you want to call it,” Washington coach Spencer Carbery said. “And making some mistakes — and they're capitalizing.”

To that point, the Eastern Conference's top seed got a quick start after a Game 3 shutout, starting with Connor McMichael getting a 1-on-1 chance on Andersen in the opening minute. Aliaksei Protas followed by ringing the right post shortly after.

Washington also managed just one shot on goal during a 4-minute power play, the first 3 1/2 minutes of those coming to close the first period.

“Their penalty kill is excellent, best in the league, has been for the last, whatever, five years call it,” Carbery said. “But it can't look like that. It cannot look like that.”

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Carolina Hurricanes' Taylor Hall (71) celebrates his goal with teammate Jack Roslovic (96) during the third period of Game 4 of second-round playoff series against the Washington Capitals in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Carolina Hurricanes' Eric Robinson (50) battles for the puck with Washington Capitals' Nic Dowd (26) with Hurricanes' Jesperi Kotkaniemi (82) nearby during the first period of Game 4 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Carolina Hurricanes' Logan Stankoven (22) has his shot blocked by Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson (48) during the first period of Game 4 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Washington Capitals' Tom Wilson (43) controls the puck in front of Carolina Hurricanes' Dmitry Orlov (7) during the second Game 4 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Carolina Hurricanes' Sean Walker (26) controls the puck in front of Washington Capitals' Connor McMichael (24) during the first period of Game 4 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Vegas Golden Knights goalie Carter Hart appeared to injure his left leg in the first period Thursday night of their 5-3 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy said Hart will receive “a full evaluation” on Friday and an update likely will be provided Saturday.

“But it didn't look good when he went off, so hopefully it's nothing serious,” Cassidy said.

Columbus had possession of the puck, forcing an injured Hart to stay in the crease while his teammates tried to defend. Boone Jenner capitalized by scoring for a 1-0 lead at 8:24 of the period.

Akira Schmid replaced Hart.

NHL rules prevent the stoppage of play for an injured player if the opposing team has the puck unless it's clear that player is seriously hurt. Cassidy said he understood the officials' decision to let play continue, that it was a difficult judgment call.

The Golden Knights already were short-handed at the position with Adin Hill out since injuring his left leg Oct. 20 against Carolina. Hill practiced Thursday and could be nearing a return, but Cassidy said he couldn't say when that would happen. He made it clear that Hill won't be rushed back even if the team is down another goalie.

“I don't think you can accelerate a guy because of an injury,” Cassidy said. “I don't think the medical team would put the player at risk, and I wouldn't want them to. If he's ready, great. There's still 40 games left.”

Vegas signed Hart in October and he made his first appearance Dec. 2 in a 4-3 victory over Chicago. It was his first NHL appearance in nearly two years.

Hart was one of five 2018 Canada world junior hockey players acquitted of sexual assault in July. He was the first of those five agree to an NHL contract. The league ruled those players were eligible to sign deals beginning Oct. 15 and to play starting Dec. 1. Hart signed a two-year, $4 million contract.

He went into this game 5-3-3 with 3.23 goals-against average and .874 save percentage.

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Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart (79) is helped off the ice after suffering an apparent injury during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart, right, defends the net though apparently injured during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Las Vegas. Hart left the game after a stoppage in play. (AP Photo/David Becker)