Capitals vs Hurricanes Picks, Predictions, and Odds Tonight
The Capitals are a hurting unit, and facing uncertain ice conditions outdoors tonight, we don't like their chances to carry the Over. Our NHL picks are tabbing a low-scoring contest in front of the Hurricanes' cold home fans.
The Washington Capitals travel to meet the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C. for an NHL Stadium Series game outdoors.
This is the third and final meeting between these teams, with Carolina winning each of the first two games by a 3-2 score.
Can the Capitals spoil the outdoor party in the City of Oaks, or will the Hurricanes earn a victory in their first-ever outdoor appearance? We’ll discuss in our NHL betting picks for Capitals vs. Hurricanes on Saturday, February 18.
Capitals vs Hurricanes best odds
Capitals vs Hurricanes picks and predictions
The Capitals got some good news Friday, as Tom Wilson was able to skate with the team to test the ice conditions, although head coach Peter Laviolette has yet to commit to whether the feisty forward will be able to return from injury.
What is known is that Alexander Ovechkin remains away from the team in Russia due to the death of his father, while John Carlson and Nic Dowd are sidelined. Alexei Protas is also sidelined due to a personal issue, while Marcus Johansson is battling an undisclosed injury, and he’s considered questionable.
The Hurricanes are in much better shape, as there are no regular players dealing with injuries at the moment.
Carolina tops the charts in the Metropolitan Division, sitting five points above the New Jersey Devils with 28 games remaining. Meanwhile, Washington is on the outside of the playoff picture looking in, one point back of a wild card spot with 25 games remaining.
The Capitals will be playing in their fourth-ever outdoor game, where Washington has a perfect 3-0 mark while outscoring the opposition by an 11-3 margin. However, Washington has never entered an outdoor game with such a depleted lineup.
The Hurricanes head into this highly-anticipated game in Raleigh with a lot of pressure to perform. There will be 60,000 fans filling the NC State football stadium who spent a lot of money to be outside in the elements. But the pressure should fall away once the puck is dropped, and talent takes over.
However, the best bet, due to stick-ice conditions, and a lack of scoring options for the Capitals, is the Under.
My best bet: Under 5.5 (-106 at FanDuel)
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Capitals vs Hurricanes moneyline analysis
The Capitals were doubled up last time out by the Florida Panthers, falling 6-3, and Washington is on a three-game slide, with the Caps outscored 13-6 during the skid.
The Caps held their own on home ice against the Hurricanes at Capital One Arena on Tuesday, as T.J. Oshie leveled the scoring in the first period to make it 1-1, and Joe Snively evened things up 2-2 early in the second period after Carolina took its second lead of the game.
Washington had no answer for Stefen Noesen’s power-play goal midway through the second period, as Frederik Andersen stood tall for his second win of the season against the Caps.
The Capitals have dropped the past two games as an underdog, including Tuesday against the Canes. Washington is also just 1-6 in the past seven games as an underdog, while going 3-4 on the puck line in those games.
The Hurricanes have picked up nine wins in the past 10 games, and Carolina has points in 12 of the past 13 games overall.
As a favorite, Carolina has won eight of the past nine games, while cashing on the puck line in five of those games.
While all of that is fine, you can toss a lot out of the window because of the unknown. We could have perfect ice conditions, or those could be a bit uneven outside in North Carolina.
Capitals vs Hurricanes Over/Under analysis
The Capitals are on an Under tear, going 5-2-1 in the past eight games overall. The Caps have managed just six goals across the past three outings, as the offense just can’t flick the switch on the goal lamp lately.
Washington has cashed the Under at a 3-1-1 clip in the past five against Eastern Conference foes, while going 10-4 in the past 14 games inside the Metropolitan Division. The Under is 4-0-1 in the past five against winning teams.
For Carolina, you’ll have a difficult time finding evidence to support the Over, as the offense has been humming lately. But the Under is 2-0 in each of the first two meetings against the Caps, and we should see scores tamped down with the outdoor conditions in Raleigh.
Capitals vs Hurricanes betting trend to know
The Capitals and Hurricanes have cashed the Under in each of the two meetings so far this season. Find more NHL betting trends for Capitals vs Hurricanes.
