Unless you are a fan of a particular NHL team, the goal is to see every series go the distance once the playoffs begin. Not only does this makes things that much more exciting, but it also offers up more betting opportunities and the chance to really build your bankroll. Unfortunately, we have seen two Stanley Cup playoff series ended in 4-game sweeps, including the #1 team in the league, the Tampa Bay Lightning, getting bounced by the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The good news for hockey fans is that there are still sever different series hanging in the balance, including the Eastern Conference first-round match-up between the Carolina Hurricanes and the defending champion Washington Capitals. This series is set to head back to the nation’s capital on Saturday night locked at 2-2. It has been the home team that has held sway in all 4 games thus far, but with momentum shifts being the order of the day, might we yet still see a twist in this series? It will be the Capitals who will be the 1 ½ goal favorites in this one, with the O/U set at 5 ½.
Hurricanes vs Capitals 2019 NHL Playoffs Betting Lines & Game 5 Prediction
“How’d that feel?” pic.twitter.com/rozgh3H4j7
— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) 19 de abril de 2019
- When: Saturday, April 20 at 8 PM EST
- Where: Capital One Arena, Washington
- TV: NBC
- NHL Odds: Washington Capitals -140 (Total 5.5)
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Why bet on the Carolina Hurricanes?
No-one really gave the Hurricanes much of a chance in this series, and for very good reason. They had absolutely no joy against the Capitals in the regular season, losing all 4 meetings. The doom and gloom scenario seemed to be coming true, as they went into Washington and lost the opening 2 games in this series, making it 6-straight losses to the Caps.Losing in OT may have seemed like a killer blow, but it might just have given the Hurricanes some belief that they can hang with the champs, as they went out and dominated in a 5-0 win in Game 5. They then won a tight one, 2-1, in Game 4 to even up this series and perhaps put a little bit of doubt in the heads of the Capitals. All that being said, they still need to win 1 of the last 2 games in Washington to have a shot at moving on.
Team Stats
Offense- Goals: 2.99
- Shots: 34.27
- PP/PK Percentage: 17.94
Defense
- Goals: 2.70
- Shots: 28.40
- PP/PK Percentage: 18.50
Why bet on the Washington Capitals?
If the Capitals thought they were going to cruise through the opening round in the defense of their Stanley Cup crown, they now know different. They did get a little bit of a scare in Game 2, needing OT to get the win, but they looked totally unprepared in Game 3, getting a shutout and barely looking like a threat in the offensive zone.
The Capitals have now scored just 1 goal in the last 2 games, and while they certainly have the attacking stars to break out of that scoring slump, they are now up against a Carolina team with the bit between their teeth. The Capitals were an impressive 24-11-6 on home ice in the postseason, so if they are going to get back to winning ways, it should be at home.
Team Stats
Offense- Goals: 3.34
- Shots: 30.15
- PP/PK Percentage: 20.72
Defense
- Goals: 3.03
- Shots: 31.51
- PP/PK Percentage: 21.01
Stars vs Predators 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs Odds & Game 5 Pick
Hurricanes vs Capitals 2019 NHL Playoffs Betting Trends
- Carolina is 25-35 ATS (-14.5 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons
- Carolina is 16-46 ATS (+76.7 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons
- Washington is 46-26 ATS vs division opponents over the last 2 seasons
- Washington is 63-44 ATS when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons
- 8 of 16 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction for Hurricanes vs Capitals
Goals have been at a premium over the last couple of games, and I think we might be in for another defensive struggle in this one. I am going with the Capitals to win, but I think that the Hurricanes might be able to keep it close and cover.Score: Carolina Hurricanes 2 – Washington Capitals 3
