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Don’t miss out on the NHL showdown between the Hurricanes and Capitals. The game is starting at 7:00 ET on ESPN, and it’s hosted by the Capitals at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. Get ready to place your bets! The Hurricanes are favored by -1.5 in this Metropolitan division showdown. The game’s over/under is currently at 5.5 goals.
Carolina vs. Washington Key Information
- Teams: Hurricanes at Capitals
- Where: Capital One Arena Washington
- Date: Thursday, May 8th
- Betting Odds CAR -135 | WAS +115 O/U 5.5
The Hurricanes Can Win If…
With a 4-2 win over the Capitals, the Hurricanes improved to 47-30-5. Carolina 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 then scored three unanswered goals to secure the win, including an empty-netter in the third period.
Dmitry Orlov led the Hurricanes’ offense with two goals in their 4-2 win over the Capitals, scoring on two of his three shots on goal. Martin Necas added his 6th goal of the season and picked up two assists, giving him 12 assists this year. Andrei Svechnikov closed out the scoring with his 6th goal, an empty-netter.
Carolina fired 45 shots on goal but went scoreless on power plays. They had 14 giveaways and scored once in the first period, twice in the second, and added their final goal in the third.
Carolina’s defense gave up two late goals in the first period, but they locked things down after that, leading to a 4-2 win over the Capitals. 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 3-0. However, they have only gone 1-2 vs. the puck line over this stretch. Their over-under record in these three games was 2-1.
- Across Carolina’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 6-4. The team’s record vs the puck line was just 4-6, in addition to an over-under mark of 4-5-1.
The Capitals Can Win If…
After a 4-2 loss to the Hurricanes, the Capitals now sit at 51-22-9. Washington’s defense struggled, allowing 44 shots on goal, while their offense went scoreless after the first period. The total for the game was set at 6 goals, and the combined score hit exactly that, resulting in a push.
Washington fell behind early, giving up a goal at 5:59 in the first period. They responded with two goals of their own, but the Hurricanes scored three unanswered to seal the win. The Capitals were underdogs on the puck line, and the loss in regulation meant they didn’t cover.
Washington’s offense was held to just two goals in their 4-2 loss to the Hurricanes. Alex Ovechkin netted his 7th goal of the season, while Brandon Duhaime added his 2nd. The Capitals took 21 shots on goal and scored their first goal on a power play.
Both of Washington’s goals came in the first period, with Duhaime scoring at 19:49. The Capitals had 15 giveaways in the game.
Washington’s defense will look to bounce back after giving up three unanswered goals to the Hurricanes, including two in the 2nd period and an empty-netter late in the 3rd. Charlie Lindgren made 41 saves and posted a 93.2% save percentage, but the Capitals’ defense also had just 2 takeaways and 20 hits.
- Washington has put together a record of 2-1 over their past three games. The team has also been excellent vs the spread, going 3-0. Their over-under record in these games was 1-2.
- Across Washington’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 5-5. Against the spread, Washington went 5-5 in these games and finished with an over-under mark of 4-6.
The Lean
If you’re looking for a moneyline pick, my choice is the Capitals to take down the Hurricanes at home. With the moneyline currently at +115, I’m placing my 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.
When considering the over/under line, which is currently at 5.5 goals, we believe that this game will go over that threshold, and we recommend wagering on the over.
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Hurricanes’ Relentless Shots Overwhelm Capitals for Game 1 Win
Game 1 between the Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals had a bit of everything—drama, strategy, and dominance disguised as a close score. The Hurricanes walked away with a 1-0 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals, thanks to Jaccob Slavin’s overtime winner. But let’s be real: the game was more lopsided than the final score suggests.
Carolina hammered the Capitals with 33 shots on goal and racked up a stunning 94 total shot attempts. Washington? They managed just 14 shots on net. That’s not a typo—fourteen.
Only the stellar performance of goalie Logan Thompson, who made 31 saves, kept this from being a blowout. He’s been Washington’s rock this postseason, carrying a .926 save percentage and 2.17 GAA through six games.
For fans watching the game or considering a smart wager, this is a major indicator: shot volume tells the story.
Check out the full NHL odds breakdown for Game 2 and beyond.
The Shot Strategy: Not Flashy, Just Effective
Logan Stankoven, who tied the game in the third period, summed it up: “That’s what our game is all about—getting in the goalie’s eyes and lots of shot volume.”
Head coach Rod Brind’Amour emphasizes relentless offense. Not every puck has to go in—just keep them coming. Eventually, the wall cracks.
Regular Season Form Rolling into the Playoffs
This is no playoff fluke. During the regular season, Carolina:
- Allowed the fewest shots per game in the NHL (24.9)
- Averaged the second-most shots on goal (31.7)
- Led the league in penalty-kill percentage (83.6%)
They’ve turned it up in the postseason, going a perfect 17-for-17 on the PK, including shutting down both Capitals power plays in Game 1.
Dive deeper into Carolina’s expert strategy guide if you’re betting the rest of the series.
Capitals Out of Sync but Not Out of Hope
Washington looked flat. Their average of 27.6 shots per game this season already had them in the bottom third of the NHL. But 14 shots? That’s the second-lowest playoff output in franchise history.
Dylan Strome, one of the few bright spots, didn’t mince words: “We didn’t play our style of hockey…we kind of let them dictate the game.”
Still, Strome leads the Caps with nine playoff points (2G, 7A), proving he’s ready to lead if the team finds its rhythm.
Goaltending Battle Remains Close
Despite Carolina’s dominance, Washington nearly stole the win—and that says a lot. Thompson has kept them in games before and may do it again.
On the flip side, Carolina’s Frederik Andersen returned from a minor injury and looked locked in, posting a .935 save percentage and 1.45 GAA in five playoff starts.
Compare goalie stats and playoff projections on our NHL team analysis page.
Game 2 Outlook: Injuries, Adjustments & Mindset
Carolina may have a lineup tweak coming. Forward Mark Jankowski left Game 1 with an undisclosed injury. If he can’t go, expect Tyson Jost or Jack Roslovic to step in.
Game 2 is Washington’s chance to reset. They’ll need to disrupt Carolina’s forecheck, break out of their zone quicker, and create more sustained pressure.
But Carolina has the momentum—and the numbers—on their side.
For picks and predictions for Game 2 and beyond, visit the NHL Picks page.
FAQs
How many shots did the Capitals have in Game 1?
- Just 14—tying the second-lowest total in franchise playoff history.
Who scored the game-winner for Carolina?
- Defenseman Jaccob Slavin netted the overtime winner.
How is Frederik Andersen performing in the playoffs?
- He has a .935 save percentage and 1.45 GAA in five games.
Why is Carolina’s strategy so effective?
- It’s all about shot volume and limiting opponent chances—Carolina leads in both categories.
What are Washington’s chances in Game 2?
- If they fix their zone exits and get more shots on goal, they can even the series. Otherwise, expect Carolina to capitalize again.
Where can I get expert NHL betting advice?
- Visit the expert betting guide for deep playoff insights.
