Capitals and Jets Face Elimination in Crucial Playoff Games

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs are heating up, with two crucial elimination games scheduled for Thursday night. The Washington Capitals and the Winnipeg Jets both face daunting challenges as they aim to stave off playoff elimination.

The Capitals will host the Carolina Hurricanes at Capital One Arena starting at 7 p.m. ET. Currently, Carolina leads the series 3-1 and holds a commanding -4000 bet odds to win the playoff series. Historically, teams with a 3-1 lead win the series 91% of the time, adding pressure on Washington.

Capitals’ star player Alex Ovechkin looks to spark a comeback after being relatively quiet in this series. He has been a key player in their postseason run, tallying a power-play goal in Game 4, bringing his career postseason goals to 77. His performance will be critical as the Capitals seek to extend their season.

On the other side, the Winnipeg Jets face the Dallas Stars at 9:30 p.m. ET in an equally intense match. The Stars also lead their series 3-1, boasting a strong -1200 bet odds to advance. Historically, Dallas has a 13-1 record in playoff series when holding a 3-1 advantage.

Mikael Granlund‘s hat trick in Game 4 significantly boosted the Stars, showcasing the depth of their roster. Additionally, Mikko Rantanen is leading all players in the playoffs with 19 points and is a frontrunner for the Conn Smythe Trophy.

Both the Capitals and Jets understand the stakes involved. The Jets have struggled on the road, losing all five of their postseason away games, being outscored significantly. They will be counting on their stars, including Kyle Connor, who is just one goal shy of setting franchise records for most goals in a playoff run.

As both games approach, fans are left to wonder if either team can rise to the occasion and force a crucial Game 6. With pride and legacy on the line, Thursday night promises to be exciting in the Stanley Cup playoffs.