The Washington Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes meet Friday in NHL action at the Lenovo Center. Here’s a Hurricanes vs Capitals Prediction. This article will include a Hurricanes vs Capitals Pick.
Washington Capitals Betting Preview
The Capitals missed the playoffs for the second time since 2014 and enter year four under coach Spencer Carbery. The Capitals haven’t missed the playoffs in two straight years since the 2006-07 season.
The Caps made massive improvement this offseason by adding Alex Tuch, Jordan Kyrou, and Boone Jenner. That’s depth, size, and skill additions. The Capitals have several guys who can lead the way in scoring, as Alex Ovechkin is still productive, Tom Wilson is coming off back-to-back 60-point seasons, and Tuch will take some of the load off of both of them. There’s also a good goalie duo in Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren. The Caps went from missing the playoffs last season to a team that could win the Metropolitan Division. The Capitals are worth watching again.
Carolina Hurricanes Betting Preview
The Carolina Hurricanes lost to the Panthers, and they play the Flyers and Habs next. The Hurricanes haven’t lost their first two games since the 2016-17 season.
The Carolina Hurricanes are averaging 0 goals per game and scoring on 0 percent of their power-play opportunities. Sebastian Aho leads Carolina with 4 shots, Jackson Blake has 2 shots, and Andrei Svechnikov has 2 shots. Defensively, the Carolina Hurricanes are allowing 1 goal per game and are killing 100 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Brandon Bussi has given up 1 goal on 20 shots faced.
Why the Carolina Hurricanes will win
- The Hurricanes have won each of their last 10 home games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The Capitals have lost each of their last four season openers.
- The Capitals have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last four season openers.
- The home team has covered the puck line in 12 of the last 14 games between the Capitals and Hurricanes.
- The Capitals have lost the third period in each of their last 10 road games against Metropolitan Division opponents when trailing after the second period.
Why the Washington Capitals will win
- The Capitals have won four of their last five games as underdogs.
- The Hurricanes have lost three of their last four games as a favorite when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Hurricanes have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last seven home games after coming off overtime.
- The Capitals have covered the puck line in seven of their last eight games as underdogs.
- In each of the Capitals’ last five games at Lenovo Center, the team leading after the second period has won the third period.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Hurricanes’ last six games against Metropolitan Division opponents have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Six of the last seven games between two teams from the Metropolitan Division have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Each of the Capitals’ last three road openers have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 2.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in four of the Hurricanes’ last five games after coming off overtime.
- The ‘Under 0.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Capitals’ last three games.
Carolina Hurricanes Player Prop Facts
- Nikolaj Ehlers has scored a goal in three of his last four appearances against the Capitals.
- Taylor Hall has recorded at least one assist in five of the Hurricanes’ last six home games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
Washington Capitals Player Prop Facts
- Alex Ovechkin has scored at least one goal in five of the Capitals’ last six road games against the Hurricanes.
- Tom Wilson has recorded an assist in each of the Capitals’ last five road games.
Hurricanes vs Capitals Injury Report
The Capitals will be without Patrick Thomas and Rasmus Sandin.
The Hurricanes will be without Alexander Nikishin and Seth Jarvis.
Hurricanes vs Capitals Prediction
The Hurricanes should be favored at home as they looked good in their debut despite not scoring, and I value teams that have a game out of the way. However, the Capitals significantly improved this offseason and will have value as the underdog. The last two games between the Canes and Caps made it out of regulation and Washington is even better now. As I previously stated, the Capitals can win their division this season. I’ll gladly grab the plus money in this spot.