In North America, they believe that Andrei Svechnikov and his “Carolina” will be sent on vacation by Alexander Ovechkin, having finished the fairy tale “Washington”. However, Capitals are able to again put experts for the laughing stock and create a sensation.

The teams have long been preparing for a full -time confrontation

In the quarter -finals, two strongest teams of the metropolitan division met. Both teams needed only five games to pass the first round.

The last two full -time matches in the “regular game” are not just hinting, but shout that fans are waiting for a tough battle between Kapitals and Hurricanz hockey players. So, on April 3, Brindamore’s boys with a large score (5: 1) beat the opponent in a match, in which there were 142 minutes of a fine, even for the playoffs!

In the same meeting, defender Jaylen Chatfield during a fight with Connor McMaikl made his opponent a cut and almost inflicted a terrible injury to him. McMaikle was without a helmet, but fortunately, everything worked out.

Then, on April 11, Washington received victory on shootouts (5: 4). Again on the ice there were fist fights. And Chatfield was avenged twice: at first he was beaten by Brandon Duhaim, and then Alexander Ovechkin imprinted the defender on board. In general, Ovechkin constantly poured oil into the fire, crushing everyone in his path. And in the playoffs from the captain of the metropolitan club, it is worth expecting something like that. In total, the teams in the “regular game” held four games and took two victories.

Alexander Ovechkin (in the center) / Photo: © Jared C. Tilton / Staff / Getty Images Sport / Gettyimages.ru

Statistics on the side of “Carolina”

In the Stanley Cup “Washington” and “Carolina”, they met for the last time in 2019. Then the Hurricanes knocked out the Kapitals from the playoffs, and the series stretched for seven matches. It was in that confrontation that Ovechkin knocked out the impudent 19-year-old Andrei Svechnikov. It is difficult to imagine that one of the players is now daring to challenge the greatest sniper, but fierce cutting on ice cannot be avoided. Moreover, the metropolitan club had the opportunity for the second time in the era of Alexander to reach the final of the conferences.

But for Carolina, which is traditionally located among the main applicants for the Stanley Cup, it will fail to fly out in the second round. Under Brindamore, Hurricanes since 2018 had been twice to the final of conferences. And in the main stage of the playoffs for the last time, Keynes played in 2006.

And now North American experts believe that the Brindamore team has great chances to knock Washington from the playoffs. Due to the branded pressure and pressure of Carolina, it looks more dangerous when playing 5 to 5, although both teams in the “regular game” were one of the best in equal compositions. At the same time, Capitals has better implementation of moments due to individual skill.

The metropolitan club will count on the majority, but so far the excess draw leaves much to be desired-23.1%, which is the ninth result in the playoffs. Hurricanes have better statistics – 31.6%. Complicates the task of the team of Spencer Carbury and the perfect minority of the opponent. In the first round, Carolina never missed the New Jersey special brigade. But Washington was not so reliable – 66.7%.

Tom Wilson and Frederick Andersen / Photo: © Patrick Smith / Staff / Getty Images Sport / Gettyimages.ru

But most of the series against Montreal was missed by Alexei Protas. The Belarusian striker, who scored 30 goals in the “regular woman”, not only threatens the gate, but also practices in defense, and is also one of the best in the game in the minority. With Protas, the chances of Capitals in the composition increase markedly. Moreover, Washington needs to restrain Andrei Svechnikov, who became the real leader of Carolina. The Russian striker scored 6 points in five matches (5+1).

If you can block the air with Svechnikov, then Hurricanes will have big problems. In addition, Capitals has Tom Wilson, who loves to play hard and climb to the opponents under the skin, which is very important in the playoffs. Turning off the game of Wilson is an important task for Carolina.

“Washington” must be counted on the goalkeeper Logan Thompson, who has to cope with constant pressure and throws from any position. It is vital for Thompson to win the duel of Frederick Andersen so that the capital’s club can succeed. And in the absence of Andersen, who received damage in the first round, Capitals gain a serious advantage.

On Kharricanz paper, having a deeper composition, faster, more dangerous and aggressive. Therefore, analysts believe in the victory of Carolines. However, Washington is a team that no one puts stably on, and they surprise. If Ovechkin, Stanum, Protas and Thompson will show the maximum, then the series will be behind them.