PNC Arena plays host to an enticing matchup as the Washington Capitals pay a visit to the Carolina Hurricanes. NBA Sports Washington Plus will air this divisional matchup, which gets going at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, January 3.
Washington Capitals vs. Carolina Hurricanes Odds
Carolina (-125) is tabbed as the favorite at BetMGM over Washington (+105) and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals (-130 for the over, +110 for the under).
Washington is 27-14 straight up (SU) and has earned 6.8 units for moneyline bettors this year. 26 of its outings have gone over the total, while 15 have gone under and none have pushed. The Caps are 16-6 SU on the road in 2019-20.
Washington has converted on 21.3 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked third overall, and it’s successfully killed off 84.9 percent of all penalties.
Washington, as a collective unit, has been called for penalties 4.3 times per game this season, and 5.2 per game over its last five on the road. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays 13.2 minutes per game over their last five road outings.
With a .902 save percentage and 26.3 saves per game, Braden Holtby (17-12-4) has been the best option in goal for Washington this season. If it chooses to rest him, however, head coach Todd Reirden might turn to Ilya Samsonov (10-4-1), who has a .918 save percentage and 2.28 goals against average this year.
John Carlson and Alex Ovechkin will both lead the offensive attack for the visiting Capitals. Carlson has 50 points on 13 goals and 37 assists, and has recorded multiple points in 16 different games. Ovechkin has 24 goals and 15 assists to his creditand has notched a point in 24 games.
Carolina is 24-16 straight up (SU) and has earned 0.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 40 regular season matches, 21 of its games have gone under the total, while 19 have gone over and none have pushed. This season, the team’s 12-6 SU as the home team.
Carolina has converted on 23.8 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 11th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.2 percent of all penalties.
The Hurricanes have been penalized 4.1 times per game this season, 4.0 per game over their past five games total, and 4.0 per game over their last five home outings. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays just 8.4 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Petr Mrazek has stopped 24.3 shots per game as the primary option in the crease for Carolina. Mrazek has 16 wins, 10 losses, and two OT losses and has maintained a subpar .903 save percentage and 2.67 goals against average this season.
Teuvo Teravainen (seven goals, 33 assists) will pace the offensive attack for the Hurricanes.
Washington Capitals at Carolina Hurricanes Betting Predictions
Free NHL Tip: SU Winner – Capitals, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
For both of these teams, the over has hit in three of their last five matchups.
Carolina’s attempted 34.2 shots per game overall this season (the second-most in the NHL), and 36.6 over their last 10 outings.
Power-play opportunities could be key in this one. The Capitals are 8-5 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 12-7 in games where they’re in the box for fewer than 10 penalty minutes, total. The Hurricanes are 7-3 when the team serves fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 13-10 in games where their penalty minutes are in the single digits.
Washington (3-2 in shootouts this season) has more experience in games decided by shootout. Carolina, however, is undefeated in two shootouts this year.
One of the top teams when it comes to pressuring opposing puckhandlers, Carolina is ranked 2nd this season with 9.3 takeaways per game. That figure’s trended higher lately, as it has averaged 9.9 takeaways over its last 10 games and 11.8 takeaways over its last five.
Washington is ranked 12th overall with 7.9 takeaways per game. That figure has trended higher recently, as the team has averaged 8.8 takeaways over its last 10 games and 11.2 takeaways over its last five.
