With the series tied at two wins each, the Carolina Hurricanes and the Washington Capitals meet at Capital One Arena in Game 5 of the postseason’s first round. NBC will broadcast this divisional matchup, and the opening face-off is at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 20.
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Washington Capitals Odds
Washington (-140) is the favorite over Carolina (+120). If you want to put some action on the matchup’s Over/Under (O/U) total, you’ll be looking at -110 money on over 6 goals and +-110 on the under under..
Netting 6.5 units for moneyline bettors, the Capitals are 50-36 straight up (SU) overall in the 2018-19 season. That win percentage, the third-best in the Metropolitan Division so far this season, hasn’t moved much from what the team managed during last year’s regular season (49-33). Through 86 regular season contests, 43 of its games have gone over the total, while 40 have gone under and just three have pushed. The team’s 26-17 SU at home this year.
Washington’s offensive skaters attempted 30.1 shots per game in the regular season, leading to 3.3 goals per outing (ranked fifth overall in the NHL). In the playoffs, however, the club’s down to an average of 25.0 shots on goal and down to 2.3 goals per game.
After accounting for the 12th-best power-play unit in the regular season (converting 20.7 percent of all chances), the Capitals have been able to score on 20.0 percent of their postseason power play opportunities.
Averaging 27.8 saves per game with a .910 save percentage, Braden Holtby (34-29-7) has been the primary option in goal for the Capitals this year. If they, however, decide to give him a breather, Washington could turn to Pheonix Copley (17-10-10 record, .905 save percentage, 2.90 goals against average).
The Caps will continue seeking offensive production from Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom. Ovechkin (93 points) is up to 53 goals and 40 assists and has recorded multiple points on 24 separate occasions this year. Backstrom has 25 goals and 53 assists to his credit and has notched a point in 51 contests.
Carolina has lost 2.7 units for moneyline bettors this year and is currently 48-38 straight up (SU). Through 86 regular season matches, 48 of its games have gone under the total, while 36 have gone over and just two have pushed. Carolina’s 22-21 SU as an away team this season.
Carolina has converted on 17.9 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked eighth overall and it’s successfully defended 81.5 percent of all opponent power plays.
Carolina’s skaters have been penalized 3.5 times per game this season, 3.8 per game over their past five games total, and 3.6 per game over their last five road outings. The team’s been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 7.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Petr Mrazek (.914 save percentage and 2.35 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Carolina. Mrazek is averaging 25.0 saves per game and has 25 wins, 19 losses, and four OT losses to his credit.
For the visiting Hurricanes, the offense will run through Sebastian Aho (31 goals, 55 assists) and Teuvo Teravainen (22 goals, 56 assists).
Carolina Hurricanes at Washington Capitals Free Picks
Pick: SU Winner – Hurricanes, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- The total has gone under in three of Washington’s last five games.
- Carolina’s attempted 34.3 shots per contest overall this season (the most in the NHL), and 32.0 in its last five road games.
- The extra-man advantage could have a critical role in tonight’s matchup. The Hurricanes are 19-20 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 33-29 in games where they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Capitals are 21-10 when the team serves fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 33-20 in games where total penalty minutes are in the single digits.
- Washington is ranked 8th in the NHL with 8.4 takeaways per game. That figure has trended higher recently, as it has created 10.3 takeaways over its last 10 games and 9.2 takeaways over its last five.
- Carolina has allowed 2.7 goals per game overall this year, but has driven that figure down to 1.7 per match up over their three-game winning streak.
- Carolina is ranked second overall this season with 10.8 takeaways per game. That figure has trended down recently, however, as the team has managed 9.6 takeaways over its last 10 games and 8.4 takeaways over its last five.
