As we hit the midway point of the NHL season, we now have a rather clear idea of who the Stanley Cup contenders might be this season. That said, there is still an awful lot of hockey to be played between now and the end of the season, and as we have seen in the past, regular season success does not always mean that a team will go on and take a serious run at the cup. Winning the President’s Trophy for the best regular season record is nice, but the list of teams who have won it and done nothing in the playoffs is a long one.
The Washington Capitals are part of that list, although they did eventually break through and win the Stanley Cup a couple of years ago. Still, they will tell you that the regular season and the playoffs are very different beasts, so it’s all about getting in, just as the Carolina Hurricanes did last year before going on a great run. It will be the Capitals and the Hurricanes facing off in Carolina on Friday night, with the Hurricanes favored by 1 ½ at home. The goal total for this one is set at 6 ½.
Capitals vs Hurricanes 2020 NHL Odds, Game Info & Prediction
- When: Friday, January 3 at 7:30 PM EST
- Where: PNC Arena, Charlotte
- TV: RSN
- Radio: SiriusXM
- Live Stream: NHL.tv
- NHL Odds: Carolina Hurricanes -1.5 (Total 6.5)
Why bet on the Washington Capitals?
The Washington Capitals are in familiar regular season territory, as they are currently at the top of the Metropolitan Division and tied for the best record in the NHL right now. They look like a team ready for the All-Star Break, though, as they have been pretty poor of late, losing 2 in a row and going 5-5-0 in their last 10 games.That’s not an awful run, but it’s not the pace that we have seen from the Capitals this season. Overall, they are 27-9-5, giving them 59 points, the same total as the Boston Bruins. Washington have been fantastic on the road this season, putting together a 16-5-1 record away from home, although they have just 1 win in their last 5 visits to Carolina and are 1-6 SU in their last 7 versus the Hurricanes.
Team Stats
Offense- Goals: 3.56
- Shots: 31.90
- PP/PK Percentage: 20.47
Defense
- Goals: 2.98
- Shots: 29.98
- PP/PK Percentage: 15.07
Why bet on the Carolina Hurricanes?
Every season, we see a team come out of nowhere to make a run at the Stanley Cup. The Carolina Hurricanes were that team in the Eastern Conference last year, but they are not surprising anyone this season. Carolina is an impressive 24-12-2 this season, with their 50 points seeing them sitting in the Wild Card in the East right now.
They are looking to move up in the Metropolitan Division, and while they cannot move higher than their current #4 with the win here, they can get within a point of the #2 spot in the division. This is a team on a decent run of form right now, winning 2 in a row and going 6-3-1 in their last 10, while putting together a 12-6-0 record on home ice this season.
Team Stats
Offense- Goals: 3.40
- Shots: 34.18
- PP/PK Percentage: 23.81
Defense
- Goals: 2.80
- Shots: 28.98
- PP/PK Percentage: 17.81
Capitals vs Hurricanes 2020 NHL Betting Trends
- Capitals are 2-5 SU in their last 7 games against an opponent in the Metropolitan division
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington’s last 5 games on the road
- Hurricanes are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games at home
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Carolina’s last 7 games played in January
Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction for Capitals vs Hurricanes
We have already discussed how the Capitals have struggled against Carolina in recent meetings, which includes this season, with Carolina winning both previous meetings. I think they make it 3 in a row on Friday night.Score: Washington Capitals 3 – Carolina Hurricanes 4
