Coming into tonight’s matchup with three wins each in the series Carolina Hurricanes and the Washington Capitals face off in a winner-take-all Game 7 of the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. NBC Sports Network will air the game, which gets underway at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 24.
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Washington Capitals Odds
Carolina (+130) is entering this one as the underdog to Washington (-150), and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-125 to bet the under, +105 for the over).
Netting 6.5 units for moneyline bettors, Washington is 51-37 straight up (SU) overall this year. That win percentage, ranked third in the Metropolitan Division so far in the early season, is right in line with what the team posted during the 2017-18 season (49-33). Of its 88 games this season, 45 have gone over the total, while 40 have gone under and just three have pushed. The team is 27-17 SU at home this season.
Following a regular season where they scored on 21.4 percent of all power-play chances (the 12th-best), the Capitals have been able to score on 28.6 percent of their power plays in the postseason.
The Capitals’ offensive attack attempted 30.1 shots per game in the regular season, leading to 3.4 goals per outing (ranked fifth overall in the NHL). In the playoffs, however, the team is down to an average of 25.5 shots on goal (and down to 2.8 goals per game).
Averaging 27.8 saves per game with a .911 save percentage, Braden Holtby (35-30-7) has been the best goalkeeper for the Caps this year. If Washington decides to give him a rest, however, the team might go with Pheonix Copley (17-10-10 record, .905 save percentage, 2.90 goals against average).
Carolina is 49-39 straight up (SU) and has lost 2.7 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. Through 88 regular season contests, 48 of its games have gone under the total, while 38 have gone over and just two have pushed. The Hurricanes are 22-22 SU as an away team this season.
The Hurricanes have converted on 17.3 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked eighth overall and it’s successfully defended 80.8 percent of all penalties.
Petr Mrazek (24.9 saves per game) has been the main choice in the net for Carolina. Mrazek owns a 26-20-4 record, and has registered a .912 save percentage and 2.43 goals against average this year.
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Washington Capitals Betting Predictions
NHL Tip: SU Winner – Hurricanes, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- For both of these clubs, the total has gone over in three of their last five matchups.
- Carolina’s attempted 34.2 shots per game overall this season (the most in the NHL), and 30.4 in its last five road games.
- Carolina skaters have dished out the seventh-most hits in the league (26.0 per game).
