The Carolina Hurricanes have secured just one win as they advance to the third round of the Stanley Cup playoffs for the second time in three years.
Despite some criticism for their supposedly dull style of play, the Hurricanes seem unconcerned as long as they keep winning.
The Washington Capitals had a glimmer of hope earlier in the series, but relentless pressure from Carolina has placed them in a tough spot, now trailing 3-1.
Carolina is heavily favored, at -3,500, to win the series and is also better positioned, at -170, to clinch a victory in Washington on Thursday night.
Hurricanes vs. Capitals Bet Preview
The Hurricanes definitely stand out.
They follow a straightforward game plan: shoot from anywhere and capitalize on the ensuing chaos. It’s a simple approach, yet effective, particularly because of their knack for winning those crucial 50/50 battles and creating additional scoring chances through aggressive forechecking.
Now, I thought the Capitals might be able to handle the Hurricanes’ somewhat suffocating style, but they’ve really struggled so far, coming across as a bit lost.
Hurricanes vs. Capitals Pick
It’s frustrating because the Capitals aren’t playing poorly in even-strength situations. They’ve been outshot significantly, but some stats suggest they might be a tad unlucky to be down 3-1.
The Hurricanes have indeed fired off a lot of shots, but most were not high-quality chances.
Washington has managed to generate a fair number of scoring opportunities—39, compared to Carolina’s 40—while facing a lopsided shot count of 99 to 59.
Frederik Andersen has been solid in net, but the Capitals shouldn’t lose hope based on his performance thus far.
Just a few lucky bounces could have changed the series’ narrative significantly.
It’s a tricky bet, but there’s still some value to be found in backing the Capitals in this matchup.
Play: Capitals +140 (BetMgm Sportsbook)
