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The Washington Capitals rout the Carolina Hurricanes to take a 3-2 series lead

WASHINGTON — Nicklas Backstrom needed five games to match his goal output from the entire 2018 playoffs, and he and Alex Ovechkin have the defending Stanley Cup champion Capitals one victory away from the second round.

Backstrom had two goals and two assists, Ovechkin had a goal and two assists and Braden Holtby stopped all 30 shots he faced to lead Washington to a 6-0 win over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 5 on Saturday night.

Washington has a 3-2 series lead and can advance with a win at Carolina in Game 6 on Monday night.

After scoring five goals in 20 games during the Capitals' Cup run a year ago that included missing four games with two fractures in his right pointer finger, Backstrom has that many already in these playoffs.