NHL Playoff Schedule 2018: TV Coverage, Live-Stream Guide and Monday Game Times

The last time the Washington Capitals got on a plane to Columbus, Ohio, they were on track to suffer their annual playoff heartbreak a round early.

While there's still plenty of opportunities for the Capitals to disappoint their fans, it looks like they should finish off the Columbus Blue Jackets Monday for their fourth consecutive postseason victory.

The Boston Bruins are hoping for the same success on the road after failing to close out their series with the Toronto Maple Leafs at home in Game 5.

Road teams have six victories in the two Eastern Conference series, which is a small part of the 20 road wins that occurred throughout the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Monday Stanley Cup Playoffs Schedule

Game 6: Boston at Toronto (7 p.m., NBCSN)

Game 6: Washington at Columbus (7:30 p.m., CNBC)

All Times ET

Games be live-streamed on NBC Sports Live

Washington Going for 4 Straight Victories

Although Washington holds a 3-2 series lead, it still needs to improve on a few facets of its game in order to secure yet another second-round matchup with the Pittsburgh Penguins. 

Before the doom and gloom of potentially losing to the Penguins in the second round sets in, the Capitals have a chance to give their fans something worth cheering about, which is tough this time of year.

In order to avoid Game 7 at home Wednesday, the Capitals must produce a more complete performance, especially in the third period.

Jay LaPrete/Associated Press

Columbus had its way with the Capitals in the third period of Game 5, but thankfully for the Caps, Braden Holtby stopped 15 of the 16 shots sent in his direction.

With another push expected from the Blue Jackets Monday, the Capitals are aware of the improvements they must make, per Mike Vogel of the team's official website.

"We didn't play good in the third," Washington winger Brett Connolly said. "We sat back and they came at us. I thought we were way better in the overtime. We've just got to get our rest and we've got to try to close it out here in Columbus. [The Jackets] are going to make a big push here, we know that. We'll try and end it in Game 6, and we'll go from there."

Since taking over for Philipp Grubauer, Holtby has let in seven goals over 253 minutes and produced a save percentage of .936.

Nick Wass/Associated Press

As long as Holtby continues to thrive in between the pipes, the Capitals' attack should have plenty of cushion to go at the Blue Jackets and finish off the contest before the sixth overtime period of the series is played.

While the spotlight is always on Alexander Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and Evgeny Kuznetsov, don't be surprised if John Carlson steps in with key plays on both sides of the ice.

The defender has the most points of any Capitals player in the series with nine by way of eight assists and a goal. He should find success shutting down Columbus' best attackers, who may be caught pressing too much with the series on the line.

Rask Looking to Improve After Poor Game 5

Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask had one of the worst performances of his postseason career in Game 5, as he let in four goals on 13 shots.

The 31-minute shift in Saturday's contest at TD Garden was the shortest for Rask in a playoff game, but he is looking ahead to Game 6 and finishing off the Leafs, per NBC Sports Boston's Joe Haggerty. 

"I probably could've stopped more pucks with my eyes closed," Rask said. "That's about it. It's on me."

The Finn added: "Yeah, that's the way it is. You play good, you kind of put it behind you; you play bad, you put it behind you. You just stay even no matter what happens."

Elise Amendola/Associated Press

Rask has been superb during Boston's three victories in the series, as he conceded five goals while making 87 saves.

However, the Leafs were able to find the right formula to beat him in Games 3 and 5 to set up a chance to force Game 7.

The key for Rask, as it is for any goalie in the postseason, is to get into the game early with a few confidence-building saves.

Once those are out of the way, the 31-year-old should be able to fend off what is expected to be a furious attacking pace from the Leafs as they try to fend off elimination.

Rask's start becomes more important when you consider the team to score the first goal has won each of the five games in the series.

As long as Rask puts Game 5 behind him and comes out strong in Game 6, the Bruins should set the tone for success and leave Toronto with a second-round matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90

Statistics obtained from Hockey Reference