by Rod Pearson
Sunday, May 04, 2025
Game Time: 7:00 pm ET, Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Venue: Capital One Arena, Washington, DC
Where to Watch: ESPN
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline: Hurricanes -125, Capitals +105; Over/Under: 5.5 goals
Bet365: Moneyline: Hurricanes -125, Capitals +105; Over/Under: 5.5 goals
BetMGM: Moneyline: Hurricanes -120, Capitals +100; Over/Under: 5.5 goals
Season Record
Carolina Hurricanes: 47-30-5 (2nd place, Metropolitan Division)
Washington Capitals: 51-22-9 (1st place, Metropolitan Division)
Do not miss out on our expert handicapper analysis! Brian Bitler is on a HOT STREAK in the NHL on a 20-12 NHL RUN for +$7,240 PROFIT! Make sure you check out his picks and many more from the expert handicappers featured in the Shop Picks section.
Recent Form
Carolina Hurricanes: 5-3-2 last 10
Washington Capitals: 6-4-0 last 10
Carolina Hurricanes vs Washington Capitals Preview and Analysis
The Hurricanes are entering the playoffs with 99 points, a 47-30-5 record overall, and they were 16-21-4 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the New Jersey Devils in their last game, winning that one at home 5-4 in double overtime. Sebastian Aho led the team in goals scored with 2 while Jackson Blake, Taylor Hall, and Andrei Svechnikov each scored 1 goal for them in that one. Shayne Gostisbehere and Seth Jarvis each led the team in assists with 2 while Andrei Svechnikov led the team in shots on net in that game with 9. Frederik Andersen was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 4 goals on 35 shots with 31 saves and a .886 sv percentage. Their offense has scored 266 goals this season averaging 3.2 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 233 goals against them allowing 2.8 goals per game.
The Capitals are entering the playoffs with 111 points, a 51-22-9 record overall, and they were 26-9-6 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Montreal Canadiens in their last game, winning that one at home 4-1. Tom Wilson, Jakob Chychrun, Brandon Duhaime, and Alexander Ovechkin each scored 1 goal for them in that one. Dylan Strome led the team in assists with 2 while Alexander Ovechkin led the team in shots on net in that game with 6. Logan Thompson was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 1 goal on 29 shots with 28 saves and a .966 sv percentage. Their offense has scored 288 goals this season averaging 3.5 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 232 goals against them allowing 2.8 goals per game.
Hurricanes vs Capitals Prediction
The current betting odds have the Capitals listed as a slight underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. This is game 1 of a 7 game series between the 1st seeded Capitals and the 2nd seeded Hurricanes from the Metropolitan Division for the 2nd round of the NHL Eastern Conference playoffs. Both of these teams won their last series in 5 games. The Hurricanes are coming off a 4-1 series win over the Devils while the Capitals are coming off a 4-1 series win over the Canadiens. Both teams had home advantage in that 1st round too, but now the Hurricanes will be on the road to start this series and they haven't looked good in road games this year. They have a 16-21-4 road record this season while the Capitals are 26-9-6 on home ice, and the Capitals also won all 3 home games in the last round while the Hurricanes did drop 1 of their 2 road games to the Devils. The Hurricanes also started that series really strong, but they didn't look great to end it as 2 of their last 3 games went to OT. The Capitals just kicked the Canadiens out of the playoffs with a 4-1 home win in their last one and their last 2 home games in the playoffs have been wins by multiple goals too. This is a disrespectful line for the Capitals at home considering how they had the best record in the East this season and considering how bad the Hurricanes have been in road games. The value is with the Capitals in this one and they have the talent to win this game at home as they will be looking to get out to a strong start in this series. The best way to place a bet here is on the Capitals to win this game.
Hurricanes Capitals Prediction: Our NHL Pick for Tuesday, May 6, 2025 (7:00 pm ET start time) is Capitals 3 Hurricanes 2.
Don't miss our champion handicappers free picks and expert hockey picks today. And if you enjoyed this Carolina Hurricanes Washington Capitals prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our weekly NHL predictions and previews.
NHL Betting Trends
Carolina Hurricanes: 168-106 (-11 units) on the moneyline in all games. 57-38 (-9.3 units) on the moneyline off a home win. 74-60 (-11.5 units) on the moneyline when playing against a team with a winning record. 8-3 OVER in the second round of the playoffs.
Washington Capitals: 70-55 (+15 units) on the moneyline after playing a home game. 32-36 (+4.5 units) on the moneyline when playing against a marginal winning team (Win Pct. 51% to 60%). 11-11 (+4.1 units) on the moneyline against good defensive teams - opponents average 26.5 shots on goal or less. 6-2 OVER at home off a home blowout win by 3 goals or more.
Key Injuries
Carolina Hurricanes: E. Robinson (LW) Day To Day - Undisclosed. F. Andersen (G) Day To Day - Undisclosed. J. Fast (RW) Out For Season - Neck.
Washington Capitals: M. Fehervary (D) Out For Season - Meniscus. S. Milano (LW) Out - Upper-body. N. Backstrom (C) Out For Season - Hip. T. Oshie (RW) Out For Season - Back.
Notable Quotes
“I give the guys so much credit. There’s not many games where, even when we don’t play well, that we don’t get back in the game. We find a way, and that’s what happened tonight.” - Rod Brind’Amour after his team’s win against the Devils in game 5 of that series on Tuesday.
“He was outstanding, the whole series scoring huge goals. Tonight is a prime example because when you are tight and you’re trying to settle into your game, to get that first goal is huge and that is exactly what he did.” - Spencer Carbery after his team’s win against the Canadiens in game 5 of that series on Wednesday.
Starting Lineups
Carolina Hurricanes
LW Andrei Svechnikov
C Sebastian Aho
RW Jackson Blake
LD Jaccob Slavin
RD Brent Burns
G Frederik Andersen
Washington Capitals
LW Alex Ovechkin
C Dylan Strome
RW Anthony Beauvillier
LD Jakob Chychrun
RD John Carlson
G Logan Thompson
Statistical Leaders
Carolina Hurricanes
Points: S. Aho (74)
Goals: S. Jarvis (32)
Assists: S. Aho (45)
GAA: F. Andersen (2.50)
Washington Capitals
Points: D. Strome (82)
Goals: A. Ovechkin (44)
Assists: D. Strome (53)
GAA: L. Thompson (2.49)
Coaches:
Carolina Hurricanes: Rod Brind'Amour (7th season)
Washington Capitals: Spencer Carbery (2nd season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
