The Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals meet Thursday in the NHL playoffs Game 5 at the Capital One Arena. Here’s a Capitals vs Hurricanes Prediction. This article will include a Capitals vs Hurricanes Pick.
Carolina Hurricanes Betting Preview
The Carolina Hurricanes look to make the conference finals for the third time since the 2018-19 season. The Hurricanes are 7-2 in these NHL playoffs and 2-2 on the road. The Hurricanes have allowed two or less goals in six of their last nine games.
The Carolina Hurricanes are averaging 3.44 goals per game and are scoring 30 percent of their power play opportunities. Andrei Svechnikov leads Carolina with 7 goals, Sebastian Aho has 7 assists, and Jaccob Slavin has 23 shots on goal. Defensively, the Carolina Hurricanes are allowing 1.89 goals per game and are killing 92.6 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Frederik Andersen has given up 11 goals on 170 shots faced, and Pyotr Kochetkov has allowed 5 goals on 50 shots.
Washington Capitals Betting Preview
The Washington Capitals look to force a game 6 on Saturday. The Capitals have split their last eight games. The Capitals haven’t lost three straight games since March 25-30.
The Washington Capitals are averaging 2.67 goals per game and are scoring 20 percent of their power play opportunities. Alex Ovechkin leads Washington with 5 goals, Dylan Strome has 9 assists, and Anthony Beauvillier has 20 shots on goal. Defensively, the Washington Capitals are allowing 2.67 goals per game and are killing 69.2 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Logan Thompson has given up 22 goals on 268 shots faced, and Charlie Lindgren has allowed 1 goal on 5 shots.
Why the Washington Capitals will win
- The Hurricanes have lost six of their last seven games as road favorites against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Capitals have won four of their last five games as home underdogs following a road loss.
- The home team has covered the puck line in each of the last 10 games between the Hurricanes and Capitals.
- The Hurricanes have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last eight road games against opponents on a losing streak.
- The home team has won the second period in each of the Capitals’ last 10 games.
Why the Carolina Hurricanes will win
- The Hurricanes have won each of their last four Game 5s of a playoff series.
- The Capitals have lost each of their last four playoff games when facing elimination.
- The Hurricanes have won the third period in each of their last 11 games as favorites when leading after the second period.
Washington Capitals Player Prop Facts
- Tom Wilson has scored a goal in four of the Capitals’ last five home playoff games against the Hurricanes.
- Tom Wilson has recorded an assist in four of the Capitals’ last five home playoff games.
- Aliaksei Protas has recorded at least one point in each of his last six home appearances against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- Aliaksei Protas ranks 1st in the Metropolitan Division for Plus/Minus (+40) this season.
Carolina Hurricanes Player Prop Facts
- Andrei Svechnikov has scored a goal in three of his last four appearances in Game 5s of a playoff series.
- Sebastian Aho has recorded at least one assist in five of the Hurricanes’ last six road games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- Seth Jarvis has recorded at least one point in each of his last 11 Thursday appearances.
- Dmitry Orlov has scored two goals against the Capitals this season – most against any opponent.
Capitals vs Hurricanes Injury Report
The Hurricanes will be without Jesper Fast. Mark Jankowski is questionable.
The Washington Capitals will be without Martin Fehervary.
Capitals vs Hurricanes Prediction
The Hurricanes have absolutely dominated the Capitals in the last two games, outscoring them 9-2, and you can bet that has something to do with this line. However, let’s pump the brakes a bit and realize the home team has won nine of the last 10 games between the Canes and Caps.
Also, the Hurricanes have seen 22 of their 31 losses come on the road, while the Capitals have seen 30 of their 56 wins come at home. The Capitals have won eight of their last 11 home games as an underdog. The Hurricanes have lost seven of their last 10 road games as a favorite. The road / home splits for both the Capitals and Hurricanes is why I lean toward the home underdog.