Hurricanes vs Capitals Prediction 5/8/25 NHL Picks

In this article we will formulate a Hurricanes vs Capitals prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, May 8th at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup in the 2nd round of the playoffs.

Carolina Hurricanes Betting Preview

The Carolina Hurricanes won game one in this series by a score of 2-1 in overtime and they will look to take a 2-0 lead here. In game one, Carolina trailed 1-0 late in the third period, but they were able to tie the game and get the win early in overtime. The Hurricanes recorded 33 shots on goal, won 55.6% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Carolina got goals from Stankoven and Slavin, while Andersen stopped 13 out of 14 shots in the game. 

Prior to this series, the Hurricanes defeated the Devils in five games in the first round. Carolina went 1-1 on the road in that series against New Jersey and they scored five goals in games four and five. Carolina has scored 3.24 goals per game and they have allowed 2.81 goals against per game, while also going 18.7% on the power play and 83.6% on the penalty kill this season. Sebastian Aho has led Carolina in the playoffs with three goals, five assists, and 18 shots on goal, while Andrei Svechnikov has added five goals, one assist, and 25 shots on goal. Frederik Andersen is 4-1 with a 1.45 goals against average and a .935 save percentage this postseason. 

Washington Capitals Betting Preview

The Washington Capitals are down 0-1 in this series after that tough overtime loss in game one. Washington scored early in the second period, but they struggled to generate many scoring chances the rest of the way for the loss. The Capitals recorded 14 shots on goal, won 44.4% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Washington got their lone goal from Protas, while Thompson stopped 31 out of 33 shots in the game. 

Prior this series, the Capitals defeated the Canadiens in five games, as they held Montreal to two goals or fewer in four of the five games. Washington has allowed two goals of fewer in six of their last eight games. Washington has scored 3.49 goals per game and they have allowed 2.79 goals against per game, while also going 23.5% on the power play and 82% on the penalty kill this season. Dylan Strome has led Washington in the postseason with two goals, seven assists, and 10 shots on goal, while Wilson, McMichael, Ovechkin, and Beauvillier have added five points each. Logan Thompson is 4-2 with a 2.17 goals against average and a .926 save percentage in the playoffs. 

Why the Capitals will beat the Hurricanes 

• The Capitals have won each of their last three games as home underdogs after coming off overtime.
• The Hurricanes have lost 15 of their last 21 games as road favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The Capitals have covered the puck line in 10 of their last 11 games as home underdogs.
• The Hurricanes have failed to cover the puck line in 10 of their last 11 night games.
• The Hurricanes have lost the first period in each of their last four games following a road win.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Capitals’ last five home games have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Each of the Hurricanes’ last four games following an overtime win have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Three of the last four night games between two teams from the Metropolitan Division have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 2.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in three of the Capitals’ last four games after coming off overtime.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in 16 of the Hurricanes’ last 17 Thursday night games.

Washington Capitals Player Prop Facts

• Aliaksei Protas has scored a goal in four of his last five appearances against Metropolitan Division opponents at Capital One Arena.
• John Carlson has recorded an assist in four of the Capitals’ last five night Game 2s of a playoff series.
• Alex Ovechkin has recorded at least one point in each of his last nine Thursday night appearances against Eastern Conference opponents.
• Aliaksei Protas ranks 1st amongst qualified Metropolitan Division players for shooting percentage (21.1%) this season.

Carolina Hurricanes Player Prop Facts

• Seth Jarvis has scored the last goal in each of his last five Thursday night appearances against Eastern Conference opponents.
• Seth Jarvis has scored a goal in four of the Hurricanes’ last five night games at Capital One Arena.
• Sebastian Aho has recorded at least one assist in each of the Hurricanes’ last seven night Game 2s of a playoff series.
• Sebastian Aho has recorded at least one point in each of the Hurricanes’ last eight night Game 2s of a playoff series.
• Andrei Svechnikov has recorded two blocks against the Capitals this season – equal-most against any opponent.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Washington Capitals are one of seven teams to rank in the top 10 for both goals scored and goals conceded per game this season.
• The Washington Capitals rank T8th in the league for goals against per game this season (2.79).
• The Carolina Hurricanes rank 25th in the league in power play percentage this season (18.70%).
• The Carolina Hurricanes rank 1st in the league for shots against per game this season (24.9).

Hurricanes vs Capitals Prediction 

Carolina comes into this game up 1-0 in the series and they dominated most of game one on Tuesday, but they are still on the road here. The Hurricanes had plenty of struggles on the road this season, while Washington was 26-9-6 at home during the regular season. I expect a much better showing from the Washington offense in this game, while the defense should continue to play well. The Caps have allowed two goals or fewer in six of their last eight games and Thompson was one of the top goalies in the NHL this year. I know it wasn’t pretty in game one, but I will take Washington to bounce back with a huge win at home here. 

David Racey's Pick: Capitals ML