The second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs is locked in, and it’s shaping up to be a physical, emotional battle between two teams with growing bad blood. The Washington Capitals, fresh off eliminating the Montreal Canadiens in five games, are set to face the Carolina Hurricanes, who also needed just five games to knock out the New Jersey Devils.
While both teams advanced quickly, the path wasn’t without intensity. Now, they’ll carry that fire into a second-round series filled with grudges, big hits, and unfinished business.
A Fiery Regular-Season History
Washington and Carolina have clashed several times in recent months, but it was their two April matchups that set the tone for what’s to come.
On April 2, the Hurricanes crushed the Capitals 5-1 at the Lenovo Center. Carolina rookie Jackson Blake had two goals, but the night will be remembered more for the chaos than the scoreboard. A whopping 142 penalty minutes were handed out, with eight misconducts and numerous scrums after stoppages. It was a fight-filled affair that saw Connor McMichael and Jalen Chatfield drop the gloves in a moment that sparked controversy across the league—especially after Chatfield took McMichael down in what some called a slew-foot.
No supplemental discipline followed, which only added fuel to the fire.
Just over a week later, on April 10, the teams met again in Washington. This time, the Capitals edged out a 5-4 win in a shootout, evening the season series. While the penalties were fewer, it was still a rough-and-tumble affair. Brandan Duhaime made a statement early, standing up for McMichael by fighting Chatfield in the first period.
Both teams finished the regular season series tied in wins, but Carolina earned the extra point with the shootout loss.
Capitals Battle Through the Canadiens
Washington’s first-round win over Montreal was hard-earned. Though the series ended in five games, the young Canadiens pushed hard, refusing to roll over. The series featured physical hits, chippy play, and even altercations during warmups.
After the Game 5 win, Tom Wilson acknowledged the intensity. “We knew that they were gonna play kind of cheap and try and get us off our game,” he said. “So it got crazy at times. But that’s why hockey’s so fun… it was a heck of a physical series, but that’s what playoffs is all about.”
Now, the Capitals head into Round 2 bruised but battle-tested, and facing a Carolina team just as tough.
What to Expect in Round 2
This upcoming series between the Capitals and Hurricanes won’t just be about goals—it’ll be about grit. With their recent history of fights, misconducts, and physical play, expect high emotions, heavy checking, and perhaps more disciplinary reviews.
Both teams have playmakers and goaltenders capable of turning games, but their emotional edge and physical endurance might be what decides this matchup. With pride on the line and past encounters still fresh in players’ minds, fans can expect a playoff series that feels more like a grudge match.
The Capitals and Hurricanes are two teams that don’t like each other—and they don’t hide it. Their second-round playoff battle will be one of the most physical, passionate series of the postseason. With both squads coming off emotional victories and looking to prove their dominance, hockey fans are in for a series full of energy, edge, and unforgettable moments.
