In a closely contested Game 1 of the second round, the Carolina Hurricanes edged the Washington Capitals 2-1, showcasing their tenacity and determination to win. Jaccob Slavin's late overtime goal, his shot navigating through a crowded crease, was the decisive moment of the match. The Hurricanes maintained a high shot volume, firing 94 attempts with 33 on goal, while their defense limited the Capitals to just 14 shots, marking one of the lowest outputs in franchise history.

Frederik Andersen, returning from injury, allowed only one goal from Aliaksei Protas, while making crucial saves as the game progressed. Washington struggled to find their rhythm, with Dylan Strome acknowledging that they let Carolina dictate play. Despite a strong showing from Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson, who made 31 saves, the Hurricanes' aggressive style overwhelmed the home team, setting the stage for their upcoming matches in the series.