Two teams that both played last night, the Washington Capitals and the Carolina Hurricanes take the ice at PNC Arena for a divisional matchup. The matchup will get going at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, January 12, and you will be able to watch the game live on NBA Sports Washington Plus.
Washington Capitals vs. Carolina Hurricanes Odds
Washington is 27-17 straight up (SU) and has earned 8.7 units for moneyline bettors this year. 24 of its contests have gone over the total, while 19 have gone under and none have pushed. As the away team in 2017-18, the Caps are 9-11 SU.
Washington has converted on 19.4 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 21st overall, and it’s successfully killed off 79.7 percent of its penalties.
For the team as a whole, Washington has been sent to the penalty box 4.2 times per game in the 2017-18 season, and 2.8 per game over its last five games. The team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 8.2 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Sporting a .917 save percentage and 28.6 saves per game, Braden Holtby (24-9) has been the best option in goal for Washington this season. Holtby did just play last night, however, so the team could decide to rest him and instead go with Philipp Grubauer (3-11-3 record, .916 save percentage, 2.56 goals against average).
Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov will both spearhead the attack for the visiting Capitals. Ovechkin (46 points) is up to 27 goals and 19 assists, and has recorded two or more points 12 times. Kuznetsov has 13 goals and 27 assists to his credit (and has registered at least one point in 25 games).
On the other bench, Carolina is 20-23 straight up (SU) and has lost 5.5 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 43 regular season matches, 20 of its games have gone over the total, while another 20 have gone under and just two have pushed. It’s 10-8 SU as the home team this season.
Carolina has converted on just 16.9 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that places it in the bottom 10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 22nd overall, and it’s successfully killed off 79.6 percent of all opponent power plays.
Carolina players have been whistled for penalties only 2.7 times per game in total this season, and 1.8 per game over their past five match ups. The team has had to defend opponent power plays just 4.2 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Scott Darling has denied 24.6 shots per game as the top selection in goal for Carolina. Darling has nine wins, 18 losses, and six OT losses and has recorded a subpar .896 save percentage and 2.90 goals against average this season.
Sebastian Aho (15 goals, 20 assists) and Teuvo Teravainen (11 goals, 24 assists) will lead the attack for the Hurricanes.
Washington Capitals at Carolina Hurricanes Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Hurricanes, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes
Washington has managed 25.4 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Carolina is averaging 33.8 shots per game over its last five at home.
Power plays and penalty kills could prove to be extremely important in the outcome of this matchup. The Capitals are 9-3 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 15-8 in games where they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Hurricanes are 11-13 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 17-20 when they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.
Carolina is 3-3 in games decided by a shootout this season while Washington is 3-1 in shootouts.
Carolina skaters have created 16.8 takeaways per game over its last five home games, an improvement over its season average of 10.2 takeaways per game (ranked 3rd overall).
Washington has created 6.2 takeaways per game over its last five road games, a drop-off from its season average of 7.2 takeaways per game (ranked 18th overall).
Washington might hold the upper hand if this one comes down to the wire. The team’s an impressive 12-5 in games decided by one goal, while Carolina is only 8-15 in such games.
