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Washington Capitals: First Round Playoff Schedule vs. Hurricanes

ByMichael Marzzacco|
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 04: Tom Wilson #43 of the Washington Capitals celebrates his goal during the first period of Game Four of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final against the Vegas Golden Knights at Capital One Arena on June 4, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 04: Tom Wilson #43 of the Washington Capitals celebrates his goal during the first period of Game Four of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final against the Vegas Golden Knights at Capital One Arena on June 4, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Stanley Cup playoffs are here and the Washington Capitals begin the quest to defend the Cup against the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round. The schedule came out Sunday morning.

The Washington Capitals first round schedule against the Hurricanes begins on Thursday night with Game 1 from Capital One Arena. It will sure be a great atmosphere as the defending Stanley Cup champions take the ice at home in their first game in the journey to repeat. Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m. The series continues with Game 2 on Saturday afternoon with a 3 p.m. start.

The Capitals then will head to Raleigh, North Carolina in the eye of a storm. The crowd will be ready to greet their Hurricanes, who haven’t gotten a taste of playoff hockey in 10 years. Game 3 will take place Monday night then the teams get a nice three-day break between games after beginning the first three games every other day. Game 4 will be on Thursday night.

If necessary, Game 5 will be on Saturday April 20, Game 6 on April 22nd, and Game 7 on April 24.

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Full First Round Schedule:

Game 1 Thursday April 11 7:30 p.m. home

Game 2 Saturday April 13 3 p.m. home

Game 3 Monday April 15 7 p.m. away

Game 4 Thursday April 18 7 p.m. away

Game 5 Saturday April 20 home (if necessary)

Game 6 Monday April 22 away (if necessary)

Game 7 Wednesday April 24 (if necessary)

The Capitals and Hurricanes have had a historic rivalry from a divisional standpoint whether it was the old Southeast Division or the current Metropolitan Division. Never have the two foes met in a playoff series until this spring. Both teams have won Stanley Cups in their history, the Hurricanes in 2006, and both are determined to get back there again.

It’ll be cool seeing these two longtime divisional rivals go head-to-head to begin the 2019 playoffs. Geographically, Washington and Raleigh are a five hour drive from each other. There might be a good contingent of Capitals fans making the trip down south. The Capitals and Hurricanes finally matching up with each other in the playoffs will be great for the sport and fun for both fan bases.

It all starts Thursday night at 7:30 from Capital One Arena in front of a sea of proper red.

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