The Hurricanes’ best players met expectations in Round 1, with Sebastian Aho, Seth Jarvis and Andrei Svechnikov combining for 10 goals and 19 points. With a solid defense corps that is superior to Washington’s, Carolina has what it takes to get back to the Eastern final for the second time in the past three seasons and the third time since 2018-19.

First, the Toronto Maple Leafs advanced with a 4-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators, winning their best-of-seven series 4-2. William Nylander scored twice for Toronto, including a game-clinching empty-netter with 19 seconds left.

The game at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, is the only one on the schedule Saturday night, May 3. It's a big one, with the winner advancing to the second round and the loser heading home for the summer.