Carolina ultimately pulled ahead with 1:59 remaining in regulation and hit an empty netter to bring the final score to 3-1. The Canes advance to their third Eastern Conference Final in seven years under Rod Brind’Amour, where they'll face either the Toronto Maple Leafs or Florida Panthers.

Right winger Andrei Svechnikov lifts the Hurricanes to the Eastern Conference Final after scoring in the final minutes of Game 5

Capitals coach Spencer Carbery expects captain Alex Ovechkin, who will turn 40 in September, to be back with the team for his 21st NHL season. "My understanding is he's under contract, so he'll be back next year,