The Carolina Hurricanes eliminated the Washington Capitals from the NHL playoffs in a swift five-game series, with the Capitals scoring only seven goalsâan average of 1.4 goals per gameâdespite being one of the highest-scoring teams in the league during the regular season. Head coach Spencer Carbery highlighted the Hurricanes' relentless defensive pressure, which stifled the Capitalsâ offense and made it difficult for players to even get shots off. The Capitals struggled significantly, with no player scoring more than one goal in the series. This matchup has been characterized as a valuable learning experience for the Capitals.
"We battled it all series," head coach Spencer Carbery said postgame. "[Carolina] is just relentless with their pressure, and their ability to break plays up with their sticks. There's no team in the league like it. Doesn't mean they're going to win the cup... it was suffocating and guys had no space, could barely get shots off in that series."
"You can tell, too, they've learned now how to win this time of year, and they don't get rattled. It's a great series for us. I hate losing a series to them, but it is a great learning experience to feel what that just felt like..."
"We have multiple guys that are sitting at two or three shots in five games, that have 30 goals in the regular season... They make it really, really challenging on you. They check well. Their sticks are good. They skate."
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