This spring marks the second consecutive year that the Carolina Hurricanes are favored in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Last year, they entered the second round as strong contenders against the New York Rangers and ultimately won the series, dominating at 3-0 before finishing in six games.
This time around, the Hurricanes stand as -164 favorites against the Washington Capitals, having had a nearly flawless season. One can’t help but wonder why the betting market continually bets on Carolina year after year.
A big part of their appeal to bettors is their style of play. Professional gamblers and oddsmakers often focus heavily on a team’s 5-on-5 performance, and Carolina’s statistics in that area are top-tier. They’re known for generating a high volume of shots while simultaneously allowing very few against.
Hurricanes vs. Capitals Round 2 Series Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Carolina Hurricanes | +136 |
| Washington Capitals | -164 |
This season, the Hurricanes led the NHL, with an impressive average of 71 shots per 60 minutes at even strength, while also conceding the least amount of shots per 60. In fact, they were the only team not to allow over 50 scoring attempts per hour when at even strength.
Critics argue that the Hurricanes often struggle to capitalize on their chances, and many teams have a hard time creating quality opportunities against them. Still, doubts linger regarding their matchup with the Capitals. This year, Washington mirrors the Rangers’ approach from last season – they’re a solid 5-on-5 team and arguably pose a stronger challenge than New York did.
Even if the Capitals may not have the same play style dominance as the Hurricanes, they finished with the fifth-best goal differential at even strength and ranked well in scoring chances and expected goals. Their head coach, who is a frontrunner for the Jack Adams Award, has crafted a well-rounded squad.
However, the challenge remains significant for Washington, as most teams find it hard to match up against Carolina’s speed and strategy.
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In this series, Washington might hold an edge in goalkeeping. Although Freddie Andersen has posted strong stats this season, he’s injured, leaving the uncertain Pyotr Kochetkov as Carolina’s option. Meanwhile, Logan Thompson has had a standout season, excelling in Round 1 for the Capitals.
Oddsmakers regard Carolina as the favorite to win the series, even without home-ice advantage. Yet, when considering all factors—from statistics to performance—this matchup feels more like a toss-up. Washington certainly earns its underdog status.
Long Shot Props
If you’re interested in sidelines beyond just the series win, consider Aliaksei Protas, listed at 30/1 odds to be the leading goal-scorer. After missing much of Round 1, he returned for Game 5 and scored 30 goals throughout the season.
Top scorer: Aliaksei Protas to score most goals (30/1)
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Michael Lubov, a patient Islanders fan, is also a seasoned sports bettor with a decade of experience in the industry. He enjoys applying game theory to help players find valuable bets, unearth long shots, and discover winning strategies in both mainstream and niche sports.
