It's win-or-go-home time for Washington and Winnipeg. Plus, get caught up on Wednesday's highlights, top stars.

The Hurricanes may not be the most star-studded team still in the playoffs, but they have the best shot of winning the Cup right now.

The second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs continued on Monday with a pair of Game 4s. Here are takeaways from the two games as the Carolina Hurricanes and Edmonton Oilers each moved one win away from advancing to their respective conference finals.

The Hurricanes do not appear to be making any changes for Game 5. Defenseman Jalen Chatfield was the only player who did not practice on Thursday. Alexander Nikishin, who has yet to make his NHL debut, took Chatfield’s spot on the defensive pairing with Dmitry Orlov.

Washington Capitals' Connor McMichael (24) controls the puck with Carolina Hurricanes' Eric Robinson (50) in pursuit during the third period of Game 3 of an NHL hockey Semi-final round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker) AP

T he stakes are high between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Washington Capitals. Entering Game 4 of their second-round series, the Canes can take a 3-1 series lead over the top-s

With eight teams eliminated, let's rank the remaining potential matchups — from worst to best — based purely on narratives and vibes.

The Hurricanes really put the pressure on the Capitals on Tuesday night. Despite being on the road against the team that finished with the best record in the Eastern Conference, the Hurricanes played with confidence, peppering Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson from the drop of the puck.

The Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs are tied 2-2 through four games of their Stanley Cup playoffs second-round series. Whoever wins two over the next three games advances to the Eastern Conference final to face either the Carolina Hurricanes or Washington Capitals.