Washington Capitals vs Carolina Hurricanes April 10th 2025

Don’t miss out on the NHL showdown between the Hurricanes and Capitals. The game is starting at 7:30 ET on ESPN+, and it’s hosted by the Capitals at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. Get ready to place your bets! In this division matchup, the Hurricanes are favored by -1.5 against the Capitals. The over/under for the game is 5.5 goals.

Carolina vs. Washington Key Information

• Teams: Hurricanes at Capitals
• Where: Capital One Arena Washington
• Date: Thursday, April 10th
• Betting Odds CAR -120 | WAS +101 O/U 5.5

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The Hurricanes Can Win If…

Carolina improved to 46-27-4 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.

The Hurricanes scored first, but the Capitals responded with two goals in the first period. Carolina tied it up early in the second and added two more goals, 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 on his 3 shots. Orlov now has 3 goals this season. Martin Necas added his 6th goal and picked up two assists, bringing his assist total to 12. Andrei Svechnikov closed out the scoring with his 6th goal, an empty-netter with 9 seconds left.

After a first-period goal, the Hurricanes scored twice in the second, including Necas’ 6th of the year. Orlov’s second goal came 5:26 into the second period. Carolina ended the game with 14 giveaways.

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

• Over their last three regular season games, the Hurricanes have gone 0-3 straight up. Across these games, their puck line record was just 0-3, while posting an over-under record of 2-1.
• Over their last ten regular season games, the Hurricanes have gone 5-5 straight up. This includes going 5-5 vs. the puck line along with an over-under mark of 6-4.

The Capitals Can Win If…

After a 4-2 loss to the Hurricanes, the Capitals now sit at 49-19-9. Washington’s defense struggled, allowing 44 shots on goal, and the game total of 6 goals matched the pre-game line.

Washington trailed 1-0 before Alex Ovechkin tied it up with 44 seconds left in the first period. The Capitals took the lead just 33 seconds later, but the Hurricanes scored three unanswered goals to secure the win.

Alex Ovechkin netted his 7th goal of the season on a power play, while Brandon Duhaime added his 2nd goal in the Capitals’ 4-2 loss to the Hurricanes. Nic Dowd picked up his 2nd assist of the season, and Dylan Strome added his 13th assist on Ovechkin’s goal. Washington took 21 shots on goal and recorded 15 giveaways.

Both of the Capitals’ goals came in the first period, with Duhaime scoring at 19:49 and Ovechkin earlier at 19:16. John Carlson contributed with his 7th assist on Ovechkin’s power-play goal.

Washington’s defense gave up the first goal at 5:59 in the first period and then three more, including two in the second and an empty-netter late in the third. Charlie Lindgren made 41 saves with a 93.2% save percentage, while the defense added 2 takeaways and 20 hits.

• Through their last three regular season contests, Washington has a record of 1-2. Across these games, their puck line record was just 1-2, while posting an over-under record of 2-1.
• The Capitals have gone 5-5 over their last ten regular season games. This includes going 4-6 vs. the puck line along with an over-under mark of 6-4.

The Lean

For a moneyline pick, I’m taking the Capitals to pick up on a win over the Hurricanes at home. With the moneyline sitting at +101, I’ll be locking in a bet on the Capitals straight-up.

If you’re looking to get a bet down on this matchup, we foresee the Capitals winning the underdog. However, if you’re not as confident in the Capitals straight-up, we’d still recommend placing a bet on them to 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.

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Hurricanes vs Capitals: High-Energy Clash with Playoff Atmosphere

When two of the Metropolitan Division’s top contenders face off, there’s more than just points on the line—there’s pride, playoff momentum, and a brewing rivalry. That’s exactly what’s on deck Thursday night as the Carolina Hurricanes visit the Washington Capitals for a game that feels every bit like a postseason preview.

Capitals Look to Refocus After Ovechkin’s Historic Moment

The Washington Capitals (49-19-9, 107 points) may have had a rough patch lately—winning just two of their last seven games—but they’ve been at the center of hockey headlines for all the right reasons. Legendary forward Alex Ovechkin just became the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer with 895 career goals, a euphoric milestone that temporarily shifted focus from the team’s recent struggles.

Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery acknowledged the emotional high and the need to now shift gears:

“You celebrate this stuff, you embrace it… That’s my job to get our guys back on track. We have to flip our mindset to get into a really good spot for the playoffs.”

This Thursday’s game will be Washington’s first since Ovechkin’s record-setting goal, and all eyes will be on how the team responds.

Hurricanes Need a Reset Amid Late-Season Slump

The Carolina Hurricanes (46-27-4, 96 points) haven’t fared much better recently, losing three straight games and scoring just four goals in the process. Their recent 3-0 loss to the Buffalo Sabres underscored a lack of offensive push and net-front presence.

Head coach Rod Brind’Amour was candid:

“We’ve taken a little breather here since we got into the playoffs. We’ve got to snap out of it quick.”

The Hurricanes know they need to rebuild their momentum before the playoffs. Captain Jordan Staal put it simply:

“If we roll into the playoffs with that kind of game, it’s not going to look pretty. We have to build our identity now.”

Tensions High After Previous Matchup’s Physicality

Their last meeting on April 2 saw the Hurricanes dominate with a 5-1 victory, but the headlines were stolen by a late-game brawl. Carolina defenseman Jalen Chatfield slammed Washington’s Connor McMichael to the ice—an incident that sparked debate and drew criticism.

Carbery responded diplomatically:

“When helmets are off, you have to be careful. That’s what I’m going to say.”

The tension between these teams sets the stage for a fiery rematch.

Roster Adjustments and Injury Updates

Carolina is adjusting its lineup with the return of key players. Jordan Staal and Andrei Svechnikov are back in action, boosting leadership and offensive firepower. However, forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi is expected to miss about a week with an undisclosed injury.

Elite Defense Still a Bright Spot for Hurricanes

Despite recent losses, Carolina remains elite on the penalty kill. They’ve played 50 games without allowing a power-play goal, tying them with the Dallas Stars for the league lead in that category.

What’s at Stake

• Momentum heading into the playoffs.
• A chance to reassert identity and team confidence.
• Emotional edge and physical tone-setting in a potential playoff preview.
• Divisional pride between two teams that may face each other again very soon.

Final Word

Thursday night’s game between the Hurricanes and Capitals may not be a playoff game on paper, but it carries all the drama, energy, and intensity of one. With recent losses, injuries, and tempers flaring, both teams have plenty to prove. Expect nothing less than a fast-paced, high-energy showdown.