The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Washington Capitals 3-1 in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series, and are advancing to the Eastern Conference Final for the second time in three seasons.

Andrei Svechnikov scored the go-ahead goal with 1:59 remaining to break a 1-1 tie and give the Hurricanes the series-clinching victory over the Caps.  Jordan Staal got his first goal of the playoffs, and Frederik Andersen stopped 18 of the 19 shots he faced, including several on Alex Ovechkin.

The Hurricanes will face either the Florida Panthers or Toronto Maple Leafs in the final; the Panthers are currently up 3-2 with the chance to eliminate the Maple Leafs on Friday night.

***

The Winnipeg Jets shut out the Dallas Stars 4-0 in Game 5 of the Western Conference Second Round at Canada Life Centre on Thursday to avoid elimination and force Game 6.

Connor Hellebuyck made 22 saves, and Nikolaj Ehlers scored twice in the third period for the Jets, and Mark Scheifele and Vladislav Namestnikov each had a goal and an assist for the Jets. Kyle Connor and Neal Pionk both added two assists.

Game 6 will be at American Airlines Center in Dallas on Saturday.

Editorial credit: Photo Works / Shutterstock.com