Andrei Svechnikov scored the go-ahead goal with just under two minutes left and the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Washington Capitals 3-1 in Game 5 on Thursday night, winning the second-round series and advancing to the Eastern Conference final for a second time in three years.

The Carolina Hurricanes ousted the Washington Capitals from the Stanley Cup playoffs on Thursday, with forward Andrei Svechnikov's improbably late third-period goal ending up being the difference.

The Carolina Hurricanes have befuddled many fans with their unorthodox style of offense throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but they have also stumped their opponents en route to their second Eastern Conference Final appearance in the last three years.