Washington Capitals vs. Carolina Hurricanes Game 3 Prediction, Odds
The Capitals rebounded from a series-opening loss with a 3-1 win on Thursday night to even the series at one game apiece but have struggled on the road while losing seven of their past 10 overall. The Hurricanes saw a three-game win streak snapped with their loss in Game 2 but have topped the Capitals in five of six clashes on home ice.
The Hurricanes return home perched as -220 favourites on Saturday’s NHL odds and maintain an edge on the NHL playoff series prices as -220 chalk. The Capitals trail as +180 underdogs on the NHL moneyline and are also a +180 bet to eventually win this series. The total for Saturday’s matchup is listed at 5.5.
Capitals vs. Hurricanes NHL Betting Odds
The first two games of this series proved to be low scoring, with these clubs combining to score just seven total goals. That extends a trend that has seen these teams score six or fewer than six total goals in seven of their past 13 meetings including three of their past six dates in Carolina. Overall, the Hurricanes have scored just three times in this series after filling the net after averaging four goals per game over their previous six outings. The Caps have also taken a step back on offence since scoring nine total goals in the final two games of their first-round win over Montreal. Overall, the Hurricanes have been a reliable bet at home during the postseason, winning 19 of 25 since the beginning of the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs, with 12 of those victories coming by multi-goal margins.
Washington Capitals
Winners of just three of their past nine road contests, the Capitals will need far more offensive production from their biggest stars if they are to claim their first series lead on Saturday night. Washington has generated just 35 total shots on goal so far in this series and has scored in the first period in just two of their past six games. Tom Wilson has continued to produce, scoring in three of the past four games and Connor McMichael has averaged a point per game over his past six outings and sits along Alex Ovechkin with a team-high four playoff goals. However, Ovechkin has yet to contribute in this series, going pointless through the first two games while generating just four total shots on goal. Anthony Beauvillier has also been held off the scoresheet in three straight games and has scored just once in his past 18 games.
Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricanes have been forced to play catch up in the first two games of the series while failing to score inside the first 49 minutes of each of those contests. Indeed, early goals have also come at a premium for the Canes, who have lit the lamp in the opening frame just once in six games and spotted opponents early leads in six of their seven playoff games to date. Those slow starts have added value to the total going UNDER 1.5 in the first period of Saturday’s contest. However, the club has generated an impressive 4.38 goals per game while winning seven of their past eight at home. Sebastian Aho has failed to score through the first two games of the series but has been a top producer on home ice, scoring five goals and tallying seven assists over his past eight appearances.
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