The Washington Capitals' postseason came to a disappointing end with a 3-1 defeat to the Carolina Hurricanes, resulting in their elimination after just one round. Despite finishing the regular season at the top of the Eastern Conference with 111 points, the Capitals struggled in the playoffs, scoring only two goals in their final two games against the Hurricanes. Andrei Svechnikov's late goal proved decisive, while Capitals' veteran goalie Logan Thompson took responsibility for the loss, citing a lack of visibility on the puck.

Head coach Spencer Carbery commended Alex Ovechkin's performance despite his age and the overall underwhelming playoff stats for the star player. Ovechkin, who finished the series with just one goal in five games, reassured fans about his future intentions, stating he does not plan to retire soon as he remains under contract until 2026. The Capitals face an uncertain off-season, needing to reassess their roster following another first-round exit.