Washington Capitals vs Carolina Hurricanes Picks and Predictions May 15th 2025

Washington Capitals vs Carolina Hurricanes May 15th 2025

Don’t miss out on the NHL showdown between the Hurricanes and Capitals. The game is starting at 7:00 ET on TNT, and it’s hosted by the Capitals at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. Get ready to place your bets! The Hurricanes are the -1.5 goal favorites in this Metropolitan division matchup against the Capitals. The over/under for the game is set at 5.5 goals.

Carolina vs. Washington Key Information

• Teams: Hurricanes at Capitals
• Where: Capital One Arena Washington
• Date: Thursday, May 15th
• Betting Odds CAR -169 | WAS +142 O/U 5.5

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.

The Hurricanes took a 1-0 lead before allowing two goals in the first period. They responded with three unanswered goals, including an empty-netter, to secure the victory.

Dmitry Orlov led the way for the Hurricanes with two goals, bringing his season total to three. Orlov’s first goal came at 5:59 in the first period, and he added another at 14:34 in the second. Martin Necas, who now has six goals this season, scored at 17:31 in the second period. Necas also picked up his 12th assist on Orlov’s second goal. Andrei Svechnikov capped off the scoring with his sixth goal of the year, an empty-netter at 19:51 in the third period.

Carolina fired 45 shots on goal but went scoreless on the power play. The Hurricanes had 14 giveaways in the game.

Carolina’s defense gave up two late goals in the first period, but they shut the door from there, leading to a 4-2 win over the Capitals. Pyotr Kochetkov finished with 19 saves and a 90.5% save percentage, while the defense added 7 takeaways, 10 hits, and 11 blocks.

• The Hurricanes have posted a 2-1 record in their previous three games. Against the spread, the team is 2-1 in these same games while going 1-2 on the over/under.
• Carolina has put together a record of 7-3 in their last ten games (regular season). In these contests, the team went just 5-5 against the spread, while going 4-6 on the over-under.

The Capitals Can Win If…

Washington’s 4-2 loss to the Hurricanes dropped their record to 51-22-9. The Capitals, as puck line underdogs, failed to cover, with the total of 6 goals matching the pre-game line.

After trailing 1-0, Washington scored twice in the first period. However, the Hurricanes responded with three unanswered goals, including one in the third period with just 9 seconds left.

Washington’s offense was quiet in their 4-2 loss to the Hurricanes, scoring both goals in the first period. Alex Ovechkin netted his 7th goal of the season on a power play, while Brandon Duhaime added his 2nd goal.

After 21 shots on goal, the Capitals ended the game with 15 giveaways. Nic Dowd recorded his 2nd assist of the season, and Dylan Strome picked up his 13th assist on Ovechkin’s goal.

Washington’s defense gave up the first goal of the game, but the team fought back to take a 2-1 lead. However, they allowed two more goals in the 2nd period and an empty-net goal with 9 seconds left in the 3rd, resulting in a 4-2 loss. Charlie Lindgren made 41 saves with a 93.2% save percentage, but the defense struggled, facing 44 shots from Carolina.

• Through their last three regular season contests, Washington has a record of 1-2. This includes going 1-2 vs. the puck line along with an over-under mark of 1-2.
• Through their last ten regular season contests, Washington has a record of 5-5. In these matchups, they ended with an puck line record of 5-5 and an over-under mark of 4-6.

The Lean

When it comes to a moneyline wager, I’m going with the Capitals to defeat the Hurricanes while playing at home. Given the current moneyline odds at +142, I’m placing a wager on the Capitals to win outright.

Our projections have the Capitals pulling out a win as the underdog. But if you’re not as bullish as we are on the Capitals, we’d recommend at least getting a bet down on them to cover the puck line.

For those looking at the over/under line set at 5.5 goals, our expectation is that this game will surpass that mark, and we suggest making a bet on the over.

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Capitals Face Elimination in Game 5 Showdown Against Hurricanes

The pressure is real. The Washington Capitals return to home ice on Thursday, trailing 3-1 in their second-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes. They don’t have room for error—it’s win or pack it up.

“We’re not thinking about three straight. It’s just about winning one hockey game,” said Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery. “We’ve done it before, and we’ve been a strong home team all year.”

Washington enters Game 5 with a 4-1 home record this postseason, their only loss coming in overtime during Game 1. They’ll need that home-ice energy more than ever now.

Want insights on hockey matchups and expert predictions? Explore the full NHL betting landscape on the NHL Picks Page.

Hurricanes Dominate at Home, Capitals Show Late Signs of Life

After splitting the first two tight games in D.C., Carolina flipped the switch on home ice—outscoring the Capitals 9-2 in Games 3 and 4. Historically, the Hurricanes have been unbeatable in this scenario: they’ve gone 8-for-8 in series where they lead 3-1.

But if there’s a sliver of hope for Washington, it’s the third period of Game 4. The Caps scored twice to trim the lead to one before Carolina pulled away 5-2. Alex Ovechkin finally lit the lamp on a 5-on-3 power play—his first goal of the series.

Ovi took a maintenance day on Wednesday, but Coach Carbery says there’s no concern about the team captain being ready.

Capitals Tinker With Line Combinations

Down but not out, the Caps are tweaking the lineup. In Wednesday’s practice, Connor McMichael was slotted back to center between wingers Andrew Mangiapane and rookie Ryan Leonard.

Anthony Beauvillier, who had five points in the first round but none in this series, moved up to skate with Dylan Strome on the top line. Meanwhile, Aliaksei Protas joined Pierre-Luc Dubois and Tom Wilson on the second unit.

These changes could inject much-needed energy and chemistry into an offense that’s been a step behind the Hurricanes’ pace.

For team stats, rosters, and more, visit the NHL Team Page.

Carolina’s Mix of Youth and Veteran Talent Creating Balance

The Hurricanes’ depth continues to be their superpower. With proven leaders like Sebastian Aho, Seth Jarvis, and Andrei Svechnikov, the Canes are once again poised for a deep run.

But it’s their young guns who are stealing the spotlight.

Rookie Jackson Blake has notched five points in his first nine playoff games. Meanwhile, Logan Stankhoven, just 22, has chipped in with three goals and two assists since joining the team via the Mikko Rantanen trade.

“They play a bit looser than the veterans,” said Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour. “They think they’ve got 10 or 20 more playoff chances. But that mix with our vets has been really powerful.”

If you’re placing wagers or just following the journey to the Stanley Cup, don’t miss out on the latest odds and futures at the NHL Odds Page.

FAQs

When is Game 5 of the Capitals vs. Hurricanes series?
Game 5 is scheduled for Thursday night in Washington, D.C.

What is the series score between the Capitals and Hurricanes?
Carolina leads the best-of-seven series 3-1.

Has Washington been good at home this postseason?
Yes, they’re 4-1 at home, with their only loss coming in overtime in Game 1.

Who’s leading the Hurricanes in scoring this series?
Several players have stepped up, including Jackson Blake, Logan Stankhoven, and Sebastian Aho.

What are the Capitals’ key lineup changes for Game 5?
Connor McMichael returns to center, Anthony Beauvillier moves up, and Aliaksei Protas slides down to a new line.

Can the Hurricanes close the series in Game 5?
History is on their side—they’re 8-0 all-time when leading a series 3-1.