Hurricanes knock out Capitals, advance to Eastern Conference finals

Andrei Svechnikov's goal with 1:59 remaining lifted the visiting Carolina Hurricanes to a series-clinching 3-1 victory over the Washington Capitals on Thursday in Game 5 of their best-of-seven second-round series.

Svechnikov's eighth tally of the postseason was assisted by Sean Walker and Seth Jarvis, who added an empty-net goal in the final minute. Jordan Staal scored his first goal of the postseason while Frederik Andersen stopped 18 shots for the Hurricanes, who await the winner of the Florida-Toronto series. The Panthers can close it out Friday in Game 6.

Washington's lone goal came from Anthony Beauvillier, who scored for the first time since the Capitals' Stanley Cup playoff opener on April 21. Logan Thompson made 18 saves.

The Hurricanes advanced to their second Eastern Conference finals in three seasons by converting two sharp-angle shots. Svechnikov scored the game-winner from near the goal line along the dashers on a give-and-go from Walker.

Staal put Carolina up midway through the first period. His shot from below the faceoff dot beat Thompson on the far side at the 9:38 mark.

Beauvillier, promoted to the Capitals' top line for Game 5, gave Washington its only first-period goal of the series four minutes later to tie the game. He took advantage of a bad bounce on Jaccob Slavin's pass behind the goal that caromed in front of the net with 6:19 remaining.

Both teams had opportunities leading up to Svechnikov's game-winner. An out-of-position Thompson made a diving save on Logan Stankhoven's point-blank shot in the final minute of the first period -- the goalie's stick deflecting the puck away from an open net.

Matt Roy appeared to give Washington the lead less than three minutes into the second period, but Carolina won a replay challenge showing Connor McMichael was barely offside moments earlier. Then, just before the second-period horn, Jarvis' shot beat Thompson, but the puck bounced off the crossbar.

Carolina advances to its sixth conference final since relocating from Hartford, Conn., in 1997.