The Capitals have no other choice, trailing the Carolina Hurricanes 3-1 in the Eastern Conference Second Round heading into Game 5 of the best-of-7 series at Capital One Arena on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; MAX, truTV, TNT, SN, TVAS). After losing the past two games on the road, Washington returns home with its season on the brink of elimination.

The Capitals are staring down elimination in Game 5. Here's what would help them start to dig out from the 3-1 hole.

Goaltender Frederik Andersen has given Canes a comfort level with his play in net that allowed them to be aggressive and take 3-1 series lead.

Our Hurricanes vs. Capitals predictions expect plenty of shots to come from the stick of Shayne Gostisbehere in Game 5.

Capitals coach Spencer Carbery is confident heading into a massive Stanley Cup Playoff matchup against the Hurricanes.

The Washington Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes play Game 3 of their Eastern Conference semifinals in the Stanley Cup Playoffs Saturday in Carolina.

As much as the Hurricanes won Game 4, the Capitals lost it with a lack of execution at too many key times. Like in Game 3, they had chances in the first 10 minutes to seize control of the game. They couldn't finish.

The Washington Capitals' storybook season is on the line, and on Thursday, they'll have to pull off a win against the high-flying Carolina Hurricanes in Game 5 to stave off elimination.