The Washington Capitals (36-29-10) and Carolina Hurricanes (47-22-7) meet Friday at PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Capitals vs. Hurricanes odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: Capitals lead 2-1, including a wild 7-6 shootout win in D.C. on March 22 in the most recent meeting
The Capitals played Thursday night at home against the Pittsburgh Penguins, falling 4-1 as the Under (5.5) connected. In its most recent game playing on no rest, Washington won 2-1 in Seattle behind a strong effort from goaltender Charlie Lindgren. However, the Caps are 1-4-2 in the past 7 games on no rest dating back to Jan. 3, while the Under holds a slight 4-3 advantage in those games.
The Hurricanes hosted the Boston Bruins Thursday night at PNC Arena, with the visitors skating away with a 4-1 win. Carolina last played in Washington on no rest in that wild 7-6 SOL on March 22, failing to cover as a huge road favorite (-190). However, Carolina is 5-1-2 in the past 8 games in the 2nd end of a back-to-back, with the Over-Under splitting 4-4 in those outings.
When the Canes played their only back-to-back with consecutive home games, they topped the Seattle Kraken 3-2 in OT on Oct. 26, before polishing off the San Jose Sharks 3-0 on Oct. 27. The Under cashed in each of those games.
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Capitals at Hurricanes odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:38 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Capitals +220 (bet $100 to win $220) | Hurricanes -275 (bet $275 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Capitals +1.5 (-125) | Hurricanes -1.5 (+105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Capitals at Hurricanes projected goalies
Darcy Kuemper (13-13-3, 3.32 GAA, .888 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Pyotr Kochetkov (20-13-4, 2.38 GAA, .911 SV%, 4 SO)
Kuemper came on in a relief role Tuesday, turning aside all 4 shots he faced in 14:19 of ice time against the Buffalo Sabres. In his most recent start, he faced Carolina, allowing 4 goals on 22 shots in a start, but he was pulled after 2 periods. He had a disastrous March, going 0-1-0 with a 6.62 GAA and .814 SV% in 2 outings.
Kochetkov kicked aside all 26 shots he faced in Montreal last time out on Saturday, earning his 4th shutout of the season. It wasn’t as rosy in D.C. in the most recent meeting with the Caps, though, as he was beaten for 6 goals on just 25 shots in the wild 7-6 SOL.
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Capitals at Hurricanes picks and predictions
Prediction
Hurricanes 5, Capitals 2
Moneyline
The Hurricanes (-275) will cost you more than 2 1/2 times your potential return, and that’s way too much risk and not enough reward.
Carolina lost to Washington last time these teams met in a wild affair, and that should serve as a cautionary tale why you should never bet heavy favorites.
PASS, and look to the puck line instead.
Puck line/Against the spread
The HURRICANES -1.5 (+105) are a much better value on the puck line. While, yes, they lost to the Capitals +1.5 (-125) in the most recent meeting, Kochetkov has still been pretty hot lately, and Carolina, as a whole, has played well.
The Hurricanes will be especially feisty, and looking to get untracked, after suffering a setback to Boston on home ice Thursday in front of a packed house with a playoff atmosphere, at least at the start of the evening.
Over/Under
OVER 6 (-105) is a decent play in this game, as both defenses could be a little sluggish after having played the night before. Plus, the Over has cashed in each of the past 2 meetings, with the winning side notching at least 6 goals all on their own.
While the Under has cashed in 4 in a row for the Bruins, and the Under is 5-0 in the past 5 outings for the Hurricanes, look to the Over, especially with a shaky Kuemper in the crease for the visitors.
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