Capitals vs. Hurricanes NHL Odds, Picks, Predictions: Carolina Too Good on Home Ice (March 18)
Gerry Angus/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images. Pictured: Ethan Bear
- The Hurricanes are favored at home tonight against the Capitals.
- Washington is surging right now, but Carolina has been absolutely dominant on its home ice.
- Continue reading for a full breakdown of this matchup, including a betting prediction.
Capitals vs. Hurricanes Odds
| Capitals Odds | +135 |
| Hurricanes Odds | -155 |
| Over/Under | 6 |
| Time | 7 p.m. ET |
| TV | NHL Network |
| Odds via DraftKings. Get up-to-the-minute NHL Odds here. | |
The Washington Capitals come into Carolina having won six of their last seven contests after taking down the Blue Jackets 7-2 Thursday night in Columbus.
The Hurricanes have lost two straight games, but they haven't lost all that much on home ice as they are 23-4-2 at PNC Arena.
Capitals Have Found Their Offense
The Capitals have scored 32 goals in their last seven games, but they will be put to a tough test against a very strong defensive team in Carolina.
The Capitals have the 10th-best offensive production in the league, averaging 3.31 goals per game on 31.3 shots on goal. Alexander Ovechkin has scored goals in two straight games, giving him 38 in 60 games this season.
One common theme about this Washington team is that it does not typically play well on the second night of back-to-backs. The Caps are winless in their last four games that were on the back end. This will also be Washington's third game in four nights.
Vitek Vanacek got the start in Thursday night's game so it is likely that Ilya Samsonov will get the nod. Samsonov has been their No. 1 guy for most of the season and he has performed as well as they could have asked.
He is 17-9-4 on the season with a .901 save percentage and a -5.7 Goals Saved Above Expected. His record is much better than his underlying numbers, but Carolina will have the edge in goal tonight.
Hurricanes Hoping to Get Back in Win Column
The Hurricanes have lost two in a row, but both games were on the road. Tonight, they return home to PNC Arena, where they have won their last seven in a row.
The Canes have been sitting pretty as they have been in first place in the Metropolitan division for a while, but the Penguins and Rangers aren't so far behind. Carolina is a slightly better offensive team than Washington, as the Canes average 3.32 goals per game (ninth), but the scoring has not come with ease over the course of their last five games.
In their previous five games, the Canes are 3-2-0 and have only put up 12 goals. Despite their offense being one of the more advantageous aspects of their game, the Canes pride themselves on being strong in the defensive end. In that same five-game span, they have only given up 10 goals. They are the best defensive team in the league, averaging only 2.37 goals against per game.
Vezina Trophy candidate Freddie Anderson will most likely be the starter for the Canes tonight. He is 30-9-2 this season with .928 save percentage and a +28.6 Goals Saved Above Expected. The Canes are the much better team defensively and have the better goalie.
Hurricanes vs. Capitals Picks
Betting against Carolina at home is always a huge risk. The Canes have become one of the most dominant home ice teams in the NHL over the past couple of seasons and even though the Capitals have gotten the best of the Canes in their last four meetings, they haven't played in Carolina yet this season.
Rod Brind 'Amour has become one of the best coaches in the league and he will have his team ready to take on a division rival on home ice. The Canes are the better team both offensively and defensively,
I expect them to get back on track tonight at home. Carolina is pretty heavily favored, but I am will to lay the juice. I am very confident in this team on home ice.
Pick: Carolina Hurricanes ML -155
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