The Washington Capitals and the Carolina Hurricanes are ready to clash at PNC Arena in Game 3 of the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. CNBC, RSN, FSCR and TVA2 will air the matchup, which gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, April 15.
Washington Capitals at Carolina Hurricanes Odds
Washington (+110) is currently the underdog to Carolina (-130), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been placed at 6 goals (-105 for the over, -115 for the under).
Washington is 50-34 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 8.6 units this season. Through 84 regular season matches, 43 of its games have gone over the total, while 38 have gone under and just three have pushed. As an away team in 2018-19, the Caps are 24-17 SU.
The Capitals’ offense attempted 30.3 shots per game in the regular season, leading to 3.4 goals per outing (ranked fifth overall in the NHL). In the postseason, however, the club’s down to an average of 25.5 shots on goal while being up to 4.0 goals per game.
After accounting for the 12th-best power-play unit in the regular season (scoring on 20.9 percent of all opportunities), the Capitals have been able to score on 25.0 percent of their extra-man advantages in the early stages of this postseason.
Averaging 27.7 saves per game with a .911 save percentage, Braden Holtby (34-27-7) has been the best option in goal for Washington this season. If head coach Todd Reirden chooses to rest him, however, Washington could turn to Pheonix Copley (17-10-3 record, .905 save percentage, 2.90 goals against average).
Carolina is 46-38 straight up (SU) and has lost 4.7 units for moneyline bettors this year. 46 of its outings have gone under the total, while 36 have gone over and just two have pushed. This year, the team’s 24-17 SU as the home team.
The Hurricanes have converted on just 17.6 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked eighth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 81.4 percent of all opponent power plays.
Petr Mrazek (25.0 saves per game) has been the primary selection in goal for the Hurricanes. Mrazek has 23 wins, 19 losses, and four overtime losses and has recorded a .912 save percentage and 2.44 goals against average this season.
Washington Capitals vs. Carolina Hurricanes Free Picks
Free NHL Tip: SU Winner – Hurricanes, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- For both of these clubs, the over has hit in three of their last five matchups.
- The Hurricanes have averaged the league’s most shots on goal (34.3) while the Capitals have attempted just the 22nd-most (34.3).
- Six of Washington’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 4-2 in those games.
- Including the regular season, the Canes have tallied the seventh-most hits per game in the NHL (25.4), but that average has climbed to 28.4 over their last five games as the home team.
