Washington Capitals vs. Carolina Hurricanes Betting Preview 3/28/19

Posts AdminArticles, Hockey, NHL

The Washington Capitals, led by Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom, are set to take the ice against Sebastian Aho, Teuvo Teravainen, and the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena in a divisional showdown. The puck drops at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 28, and you can catch it live on NBC Sports Washington.

Washington Capitals at Carolina Hurricanes Odds

Carolina enters the matchup as the heavy favorite with a -140 moneyline. The line for the Capitals now stands at +120 and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at an even 6 goals (-110 for the over, -110 for the under).

Washington is 45-32 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 5.1 units this season. Through 77 regular season matches, 39 of its games have gone over the total, while 35 have gone under and just three have pushed. As an away team in 2018-19, the Caps are 22-16 SU.

Washington has converted on 20.9 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. Its penalty kill is ranked 24th overall, and it has successfully killed off 79.1 percent of all penalties..

Averaging 27.7 saves per game with a .910 save percentage, Braden Holtby (29-27-7) has been the top option in goal for Washington this season. If it chooses to rest him, however, Washington could turn to Pheonix Copley (17-8-3), who has a .906 save percentage and 2.88 goals against average this year.

Carolina is 42-34 straight up (SU) and has lost 4.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. 42 of its matches have gone under the total, while 32 have gone over and just two have pushed. It’s 22-16 SU at home this season.

The Hurricanes have converted on just 16.5 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s ranked 25th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked seventh overall, and it’s successfully killed off 81.9 percent of all penalties.

Petr Mrazek (24.9 saves per game) has been the primary selection in goal for the Hurricanes. Mrazek has 20 wins, 17 losses, and three OT losses and has recorded a poor .910 save percentage and 2.47 goals against average this year.

Washington Capitals vs. Carolina Hurricanes Betting Predictions

NHL Prediction: SU Winner – Hurricanes, O/U – Under

Betting Notes

  • The Hurricanes are 2-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while the Capitals are 4-1 in shootouts.
  • The under has hit in four of Washington’s last five games.
  • The Hurricanes have averaged the league’s second-most shots on goal (34.7) while the Capitals have attempted just the 22nd-most (34.7).
  • Eight of Washington’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 6-2 in those games.
  • The Hurricanes this season have registered the eighth-most hits per game in the NHL (25.1), but the team’s averaged 30.8 over their last five home outings.