Stanley Cup playoffs thriller: Carolina Hurricanes and Dallas Stars look to seal series; Washington Capitals and Winnipeg Jets scramble to stay alive

The second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs heats up Thursday night with two elimination games that will keep fans on the edge of their seats. Both the Washington Capitals and the Winnipeg Jets find themselves down 3-1 in their respective series, hosting the Carolina Hurricanes and Dallas Stars in do-or-die scenarios. As each team fights to extend their postseason dreams, the stakes couldn’t be higher — with momentum, history, and franchise legacies all hanging in the balance. The question remains: can the Caps or Jets force a Game 6?Carolina Hurricanes at Washington Capitals – 7 p.m. ET, TNTThe Carolina Hurricanes hold a commanding 3-1 lead and look like favorites to close out the series on the road. With odds of -4000 to win the series, Carolina is a heavy favorite compared to the Capitals’ +1300. Historically, teams with a 3-1 lead have won the series 91% of the time, and Carolina itself is 8-0 in best-of-seven series after gaining such an advantage.Carolina's netminder Frederik Andersen has been outstanding, posting a 21-save shutout in Game 3 and extending his scoreless streak to 123:24 before finally conceding in Game 4’s third period — the fifth-longest shutout streak in franchise history. Offensively, Seth Jarvis has been a standout, scoring his 16th postseason goal, the most in franchise history for a player under 24.The Washington Capitals will rely heavily on Alex Ovechkin to spark a comeback. Though quieter this round, Ovechkin’s Game 4 power-play goal moved him up two prestigious all-time lists: 77 career postseason goals (12th all-time) and 31 power-play goals (fifth all-time). The Capitals will need Ovechkin and their top performers to raise their game for a chance to survive.Dallas Stars at Winnipeg Jets – 9:30 p.m. ET, TNTThe Dallas Stars also lead their series 3-1 and carry strong odds at -1200 to advance. Stars boasts a historic 13-1 record in best-of-seven series when holding a 3-1 advantage, a rare slip coming back in 1992 against Detroit. The Stars' momentum surged in Game 4 behind Mikael Granlund’s hat trick, which included two power-play goals — a feat only matched once before in franchise history by Dino Ciccarelli in 1982.Mikko Rantanen has been on fire this postseason, leading all players with 19 points and nine goals. He’s also the favorite to snag the Conn Smythe Trophy (+375), a testament to how critical he’s been for Dallas. Meanwhile, goalie Jake Oettinger is carving out his own bit of history, winning five straight home playoff games to kick off this run — a rare feat shared only by Ed Belfour and Cesare Maniago in franchise history.For the Winnipeg Jets, it’s a much tougher story. They haven’t won a single road game yet this postseason, going 0-5 away from home and being outscored 25-8. Kyle Connor is inching closer to some franchise records, just one goal shy of Paul Stastny’s mark for second-most goals in a single playoff run. But despite the milestones, the Jets face a steep climb if they want to keep their season alive.Both Washington and Winnipeg are big underdogs right now, and the odds are stacked against them. Still, the Stanley Cup playoffs are famous for surprises — teams have come back from the brink before. Carolina and Dallas look like they’re in control and ready to finish the job, but if the Capitals and Jets can find some clutch goals and tighten their defense, Thursday night could turn into a wild, must-see showdown.With everything on the line — pride, history, and the chance to keep chasing the Cup — these second-round matchups remind everyone why playoff hockey is so thrilling. It’s not just about skill; it’s about guts, resilience, and who wants it the most.Also Read: Stuart Skinner shines: Edmonton Oilers goalie silences critics with game 4 shutout win