The Washington Capitals (28-23-6) meet the Carolina Hurricanes (36-10-8) Saturday at Carter-Finley Stadium in an NHL Stadium Series Game outdoors in Raleigh, N.C. Puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m. (ABC/ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Capitals vs. Hurricanes odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Capitals are on a 3-game losing skid, all at home, including 6-3 last time out on Thursday against the Florida Panthers. LW Alexander Ovechkin left the team before Tuesday’s game with the Hurricanes due to the death of his father in Russia.
Washington is dealing with a ton of injuries. C Nic Dowd and RW Tom Wilson are dealing with lower-body injuries, although Wilson did skate Friday and could potentially return. D John Carlson is nursing a facial injury, and he is definitely out. LW Marcus Johansson (undisclosed) is listed as questionable for Saturday’s game, while C Alexei Protas (personal) is out.
The Hurricanes racked up a 6-2 win against the Montreal Canadiens, as C Seth Jarvis notched his 1st-career hat trick in the process. Carolina has won 9 of the past 10 games overall.
Carolina is playing in its first-ever outdoor game, and it was supposed to play this game in 2021 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. However, COVID wiped out those plans.
Washington has hosted 2 outdoor games, including a game at the United State Naval Academy, while playing a 3rd on the road. It has won all 3 previous games outside, outscoring the opposition 11-3.
Capitals at Hurricanes odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub Lines last updated at 9:15 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Capitals +170 (bet $100 to win $170) | Hurricanes -200 (bet $200 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Capitals +1.5 (-150) | Hurricanes -1.5 (+130)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Capitals at Hurricanes projected goalies
Darcy Kuemper (16-16-4, 2.63 GAA, .914 SV%, 5 SO) vs. Frederik Andersen (12-4-0, 2.61 GAA, .899 SV%)
Kuemper allowed 4 goals on 34 shots in Thursday’s loss against the Panthers, and he has dropped each of his past 2 starts after winning in Boston last Saturday. Kuemper is 1-2-0 with a 2.73 GAA and .913 SV% in 3 starts in the month of February.
Andersen allowed just 2 goals on 36 shots in Tuesday’s win in Washington, and he has allowed 2 or fewer goals in 7 of his past 9 starts since returning from the injured reserve in mid-January. Andersen is 2-0-0 with a 1.92 GAA and .929 SV% in 2 starts against the Caps this season.
Capitals at Hurricanes picks and predictions
Prediction
Hurricanes 3, Capitals 2
Moneyline
The Hurricanes (-200) will cost you 2 times your potential return, and that’s quite expensive. Carolina also has a ton of pressure on it, playing in front of a full house in the most highly anticipated game in franchise history.
Nothing is expected of the Capitals (+170), who are super banged up and missing their top star. Washington will also likely tap into its short history of outdoor series games to make this a tight contest.
PASS.
Puck line/Against the spread
The CAPITALS +1.5 (-150) are a solid play at this price.
Washington is missing several stars, but it still gave the Hurricanes -1.5 (+130) all they could handle on Tuesday night in D.C. Expect more of the same here, as the Caps still have the likes of Evgeni KuznetsovT.J. Oshie and Kuemper, proud veterans who won’t go quietly into the night.
Over/Under
The UNDER 5.5 (-110) is the lean in this outdoor game in North Carolina.
The Under is 5-2-1 in the past 8 games overall for the Caps, including Tuesday’s game at Capital One Arena. The Under is 10-4 in the past 14 games inside the Metropolitan Division, while going 4-0-1 in the past 5 games against winning teams.
The Over has dominated for the Hurricanes lately, but the Under is 2-0 in the previous 2 meetings with the Capitals this season.
Want action on this matchup or any other NHL games? Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, SportsbookWire’s official sportsbook partner in OH, CO and NJ. Bet now!
Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.