In a game between two teams that have put themselves firmly in the playoff hunt, the Carolina Hurricanes and the Washington Capitals take the ice at Capital One Arena. This divisional matchup gets going at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, January 13 and it can be caught live on NBC Sports Washington.
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Washington Capitals Odds
Carolina (+115) is entering this one as the underdog to Washington (-135), and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 7 goals. The line for betting the total stands at -110 for the over and -110 on the under.
The Capitals are 30-16 straight up (SU) and have earned 5.3 units for moneyline bettors this season. That win percentage, strongest in the league so far in this young season, is an improvement compared to what the team managed during last year’s regular season (48-34). Of the team’s 46 games this season, 29 have gone over the total, while 17 have gone under and none have pushed. The team’s 13-9 SU at home this year.
Washington’s converted on 21.0 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked fifth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 83.8 percent of all penalties.
As a team, Washington has been penalized 4.2 times per game overall this season, and 2.6 per game over its last five games home outings. The team’s had to stave off opposition power plays for just 5.8 minutes per game over its last five home outings.
Averaging 25.9 saves per game with a .899 save percentage, Braden Holtby (18-14-4) has been the primary goalkeeper for the Capitals this season. If they decide to rest him, however, head coach Todd Reirden may roll with Ilya Samsonov (12-4-4 record, .921 save percentage, 2.24 goals against average).
John Carlson and Alex Ovechkin will both lead the way for the Capitals. Carlson (55 points) has produced 13 goals and 42 assists and has recorded two or more points on 17 different occasions this year. Ovechkin has 26 goals and 16 assists to his credit and has recorded at least one point in 27 contests.
Carolina has earned 0.8 units for moneyline bettors this season and is currently 27-18 straight up (SU). A total of 24 of its outings have gone under the total, while 21 have gone over and none have pushed. Carolina’s 12-10 SU as the visiting team this season.
Carolina has scored on 22.5 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s good enough for eighth-best in the league. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked ninth overall and it’s successfully killed off 82.4 percent of all penalties.
Carolina’s skaters have been penalized 3.9 times per game this season, and 2.8 per game over their past five contests. The team’s had to kill penalties just 7.0 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Petr Mrazek (24.5 saves per game) has been the primary choice in the net for Carolina. Mrazek has 17 wins, 12 losses, and two OT losses to his credit, while registering a .905 save percentage and 2.64 goals against average this year.
Teuvo Teravainen (nine goals, 34 assists) has been one of the top facilitators on offense for the visiting Hurricanes.
Carolina Hurricanes at Washington Capitals Free Picks
NHL Pick: SU Winner – Hurricanes, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
Washington (3-2 in shootouts this season) has more experience in games decided by shootout. Carolina, on the other hand,emerged victorious in both of its shootouts this year.
For both of these teams, the game went over the total in three of their past five outings.
The Capitals this season have handed out the eighth-most hits per game in the NHL (23.9).
