Carolina Hurricanes vs Washington Capitals Picks and Predictions May 12th 2025

The Capitals and Hurricanes are set to face off at 7:00 ET on TNT. The Hurricanes will host the game at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, NC. The over/under for this Metropolitan division contest is set at 5.5 goals, with the Hurricanes being favored by -1.5 at home against the Capitals.

Start Winning Smarter—Explore The Expert Betting Guide Now!

Washington vs. Carolina Key Information

• Teams: Capitals at Hurricanes
• Where: Lenovo Center Raleigh
• Date: Monday, May 12th
• Betting Odds CAR -235 | WAS +195 O/U 5.5

The Capitals Can Win If…

After a 4-2 loss to the Hurricanes, the Capitals now sit at 51-22-9. Washington was the underdog on the puck line, and the total for the game was set at 6 goals, resulting in a push.

Washington’s defense struggled, allowing 44 shots on goal. The Capitals managed to score both of their goals in the first period, but the Hurricanes responded with four unanswered goals to secure the win.

Washington’s offense was held to just two goals in their 4-2 loss to Carolina. Alex Ovechkin scored his 7th goal of the season on a power play, while Brandon Duhaime added his 2nd goal. The Capitals took 21 shots on goal and recorded 15 giveaways.

Both of Washington’s goals came in the first period, with Duhaime scoring at the 19:49 mark. Nic Dowd picked up his 2nd assist of the season, and Dylan Strome notched his 13th assist on Ovechkin’s power play goal.

Despite the Capitals’ 2-1 lead after the first period, their defense struggled, allowing three unanswered goals—two in the second period and one in the third. The final goal was an empty-netter with just 9 seconds left. Charlie Lindgren made 41 saves with a 93.2% save percentage, but Washington’s defense gave up 44 shots on goal and managed only two takeaways.

• Across Washington’s last three regular season games, their record sits at 1-2. Across this span, their puck line record sits at 2-1 to go along with an over-under mark of 0-3.
• Across Washington’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 6-4. The team’s record vs the puck line was just 6-4, in addition to an over-under mark of 3-7.

Stay Ahead Of The Game—Read The Latest Blog Posts Now!

The Hurricanes Can Win If…

Carolina improved to 47-30-5 with a 4-2 win over the Capitals. The Hurricanes covered the puck line as -1.5 goal favorites, and the total of 6 goals matched the pre-game line.

Carolina scored first, but the Capitals responded with two goals in the first period. The Hurricanes tied it up in the second and added two more, including an empty-netter, to secure the win.

Carolina took 45 shots on goal in their 4-2 win over Washington, with Dmitry Orlov scoring twice, bringing his season total to three goals. Martin Necas, who now has six goals this season, also added two assists, giving him 12 assists overall. Andrei Svechnikov scored his sixth goal on an empty net with just nine seconds left in the game.

The Hurricanes scored their first goal at 5:59 in the first period, added two more in the second, and finished with an empty-netter. They recorded 14 giveaways in the game and did not score on any power plays.

Carolina’s defense gave up two late goals in the first period, but they shut down the Capitals in the second and third, leading to a 4-2 win. Pyotr Kochetkov made 19 saves with a 90.5% save percentage, and the defense added 7 takeaways and 10 hits.

• Through their last three games, the Hurricanes have a record of 2-1. However, they have only gone 1-2 vs. the puck line over this stretch. Their over-under record in these three games was 0-3.
• Through their last ten regular season contests, Carolina has a record of 6-4. In these matchups, they ended with an puck line record of 4-6 and an over-under mark of 3-6-1.

The Lean

If you’re interested in a pure moneyline wager, then the Hurricanes is the preferred option. However, with a payout of -235, it might be worth considering this bet as a component of a larger parlay.

When it comes to my suggested pick for the puck line, I’d advise taking the Capitals to cover. Even in the event of a Hurricanes victory, this matchup is likely to remain closely contested, and the Capitals should cover the puck line.

With an over/under line sitting at 5.5 goals, we like this game to surpass that mark and recommend getting a bet down on the over.

Think the Caps Can Fight Back?

Back Your NHL Pick With Expert Playoff Predictions Today!

Get Free Trial

Capitals Turn to Ovechkin as They Look to Even Series With Hurricanes

Down 2-1 in their second-round Stanley Cup playoff series, the Washington Capitals face a crucial Game 4 showdown Monday night against the Carolina Hurricanes. After getting blanked 4-0 in Game 3, the Capitals must respond on the road—and they’ll be counting heavily on captain Alex Ovechkin to deliver in a moment that could define their postseason.

Game 4: Must-Win Mode in Raleigh

Washington trails in the series and heads back to Carolina, where they haven’t won since December 2023. Including Saturday’s loss, the Hurricanes have now won four straight home games over the Capitals by a combined score of 17-5.

“Is it a back-against-the-wall difficult game… after losing Game 3? For sure. But it’s an opportunity to even the series.”
— Spencer Carbery, Capitals Head Coach

Carbery emphasized that his veteran group has shown resilience all season—evident in their 111-point regular season—and believes the mindset that powered their rise can also fuel a comeback.

Ovechkin’s Silence a Growing Concern

Alex Ovechkin, one of the league’s hottest scorers in the second half of the season, has yet to register a point in the series. That’s despite putting three solid shots on net in Game 3, all turned away by Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen.

“Can’t stop him… You just hope there’s not too many of them.”
— Rod Brind’Amour, Hurricanes Head Coach

Ovechkin’s playoff pedigree is unquestioned, but going three straight games without a point—something he hasn’t done since early January—adds urgency. In a series where goals are hard to come by, the Capitals need their captain to lead the way.

Goaltending Battle Favors Carolina

Frederik Andersen has been a wall for the Hurricanes. After missing much of the regular season due to injury, the veteran netminder now leads all qualified playoff goalies with a .940 save percentage and 1.32 goals-against average.

Carolina’s ability to clog the neutral zone and disrupt offensive entries has also neutralized Ovechkin and Dylan Strome’s ability to generate high-danger chances. The Capitals will need to adjust if they want to beat the defensive structure that has stymied them thus far.

From rebuilding to championship-ready—compare all NBA team profiles today.

A Tight Series With Thin Margins

Scoring has been scarce: just 11 total goals through three games, with each goal scored by a different player. That speaks to the defensive chess match on display and the importance of capitalizing on limited opportunities.

Game 4 presents a chance for the Capitals to swing the momentum and reclaim home-ice advantage—but it starts with putting pucks in the net and getting their biggest names on the scoresheet.