In their first head-to-head meeting of the regular season, the Washington Capitals and the Carolina Hurricanes take the ice at PNC Arena for a Metro Division showdown. The match gets going at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 2, and fans at home will be able to catch the game live on NBC Sports Washington.
Washington Capitals vs. Carolina Hurricanes Odds
Carolina (-105) is playing the role of underdog to Carolina (-115), and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-120 to bet the under, +100 for the over).
Washington is 24-16 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 5.6 units this year. Through 40 regular season matches, 22 of its games have gone over the total, while 18 have gone under and none have pushed. As an away team in 2017-18, the Caps are 8-11 SU.
Washington has converted on 19.5 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. Its penalty kill is ranked 19th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 80.4 percent of all penalties.
The Caps, as a collective unit, have been whistled for penalties 4.3 times per game overall in the 2017-18 season, and 3.0 per game over its last five match ups. The team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 6.6 minutes per game over their last five outings.
With a .918 save percentage and 28.3 saves per game, Braden Holtby (22-8) has been the primary option in goal for Washington this season. If head coach Barry Trotz chooses to rest him, however, the team might roll with Philipp Grubauer (2-11-3 record, .909 save percentage, 2.70 goals against average).
Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov will both be relied on to produce for the visiting Capitals. Ovechkin has 41 points on 24 goals and 17 assists, and has recorded two or more points nine times. Kuznetsov has 12 goals and 27 assists to his name (and has registered at least one point in 24 games).
Carolina is 18-20 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.4 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 38 regular season contests, 19 of its games have gone under the total, while 17 have gone over and just two have pushed. This year, the team is 10-7 SU as the home team.
The Hurricanes have converted on just 15.4 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s ranked 27th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 24th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 78.7 percent of all opponent power plays.
Carolina skaters have been whistled for penalties only 2.8 times per game in total this season, 2.4 per game over their past five contests total, and 3.2 per game over their last five home outings. The team has had to kill penalties just 6.1 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Scott Darling has stopped 24.5 shots per game as the primary selection in goal for the Hurricanes. Darling has eight wins, 17 losses, and six OT losses to his credit and has recorded a subpar .896 save percentage and 2.88 goals against average this season.
The Canes offense will be led by Sebastian Aho (11 goals, 18 assists) and Teuvo Teravainen (nine goals, 20 assists).
Washington Capitals vs. Carolina Hurricanes Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Hurricanes, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes
Washington is 3-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Carolina is 3-3 in shootouts.
The total has gone under in four of Carolina’s last five outings.
Washington has managed 24.6 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Carolina has been attempting 35.6 shots per game over its last five at home.
Four of Carolina’s last ten contests have been decided by two or more goals. The team is 3-1 overall in those games.
Washington skaters have accounted for the league’s 10th-most hits per game (22.5).
