Sebastian Aho, Teuvo Teravainen, and the Carolina Hurricanes will do battle against Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, and the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena in a Metro Division tilt. The puck is going to drop at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 27, and it will be broadcasted live on NBC Sports Washington.
Carolina Hurricanes at Washington Capitals Odds
The Capitals (-170) are being labeled as the big favorites over the Hurricanes (+150) and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at an even 6 goals (-115 over, -105 under).
Netting 5.7 units for moneyline bettors, Washington is 22-13 straight up (SU) overall this year. That winning percentage, ranked fourth in the NHL so far in this young season, is right in line with what the team posted during last year’s regular season (49-33). Through 35 regular season outings, 19 of its games have gone over the total, while 14 have gone under and just two have pushed. Thus far, the team is 11-7 SU at home.
The Capitals have connected on 23.4 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that places them in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated 26th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 76.4 percent of all penalties.
Averaging 28.3 saves per game with a .914 save percentage, Braden Holtby (14-11-3) has been the top option in goal for the Caps this season. If head coach Todd Reirden chooses to rest him, however, the team could turn to Pheonix Copley (9-3-3 record, .912 save percentage, 2.67 goals against average).
Carolina has lost 12.8 units for moneyline bettors this year and is currently 15-20 straight up (SU). Through 35 regular season contests, 23 of its games have gone under the total, while 12 have gone over and none have pushed. The Hurricanes are 6-9 SU as a road team this season.
The Hurricanes have converted on just 15.7 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that’s ranked 24th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 15th overall and it’s successfully killed off 80.6 percent of all opponent power plays.
Petr Mrazek (.898 save percentage and 2.62 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Carolina. Mrazek is averaging 22.8 saves per game and owns a 6-9-2 record.
Carolina Hurricanes at Washington Capitals Betting Predictions
Free NHL Tip: SU Winner – Capitals, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- Two of the Capitals’ last ten games have been decided by a shootout. The team is 2-0 in those games and 3-1 overall in shootouts this year.
- For both of these teams, the under has hit in three of their last five matchups.
- Carolina has attempted 37.5 shots per game overall this season (the second-most in the NHL), and 32.6 in its last five road outings.
- Nine of Carolina’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 3-6 in those games.
- Carolina skaters have dished out the league’s third-most hits per game (27.8), but the team’s averaged just 23.2 hits over their last five away games.
