Multiple seasons were on the line Wednesday in the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs. The Washington Capitals had an opportunity to close out their first-round series against the Montreal Canadiens in Game 5 after winning three of the first four, while the Florida Panthers had the opportunity to do the same to the Tampa Bay Lightning in their own Game 5.

The Carolina Hurricanes became the first NHL team to advance to the second round when they beat the New Jersey Devils in the second overtime on Tuesday night. The defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers and the Eastern Conference top-seeded Washington Capitals joined them on Wednesday.