Photo: Getty Images

The Washington Capitals’ First Round series against the Carolina Hurricanes will begin on Thursday night at Capital One Arena. Game 1 can be seen on NBC Sports Washington locally or USA Network nationally beginning at 7:30 PM ET. The Capitals will host Games 1 and 2 as well as games 5 and 7, if necessary. The Hurricanes will host Games 3, 4, and 6 (if necessary). Game 2 will be broadcast nationally by NBC on Saturday, April 13 at 3:00 PM. The Hurricanes will host their first Stanley Cup Playoff game at PNC Arena since 2009 on Monday, April 15, at 7:00 PM ET.

Game 1           at Washington           Thursday, April 11          7:30 PM

Game 2           at Washington           Saturday, April 13           3:00 PM

Game 3           at Carolina                 Monday, April 15             7:00 PM

Game 4           at Carolina                 Thursday, April 18          7:00 PM

Game 5*          at Washington          Saturday, April 20           TBA

Game 6*          at Carolina                Monday, April 22             TBA

Game 7*          at Washington          Wednesday, April 24      TBA

*if necessary

The Capitals have started the opening round series at home in each of the past five seasons, winning the series each time. They have finished first in the Metropolitan Division the past four times.

The 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs will begin on Wednesday night.

Times for Games 5-7 of the series will be announced later depending on how the first few games of the series go.

By Harrison Brown