Hurricanes vs. Capitals Game 5 Prediction: NHL Playoffs Betting Odds
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Jeremy Perry
The Eastern Conference Quarterfinals series between the Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals has a much different complexion than it did when these teams left the nation’s capital after Game 2. The Capitals had 2-0 series lead at that point but now the teams return tied 2-2.
Hurricanes vs. Capitals Stanley Cup Playoffs Betting Analysis
Carolina’s success tends to snowball. They are 13-5 in their last 18 when their opponent scores two goals or less in their previous game and 16-7 after giving up two or less in their previous game. The Cans are also 8-1 in their last nine Saturday games.
Home-ice advantage has been important between these teams as the Caps have won each of its last four home games against Carolina dating back to the regular season. The Capitals are 5-0 in their last five playoff games when listed as the favorite when listed at anywhere from -110 to -150 odds. They have won 13 of their last 16 games when favored by any margin.
Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricanes figured out fairly quickly that special teams and quality defensive play would be the key to clawing their way back into the series. It certainly helped that netminder Petr Mrazek performed at a high level in each of their last two games. Mrazek turned aside 48 of the 49 shots he faced in back-to-back victories on home ice. As for the special teams, the Caps scored three power play goals in their last two games while killing off everyone one of their own penalties.
The Canes need to find a way to maintain this level of defence on the road, though, as that’s been a big problem. They gave up eight goals in their first two games.
Washington Capitals
Even without Oshie, the Capitals are more than capable of going off offensively in Game 5. The momentum isn’t on their side, having scored just one goal in their last two games and now losing a quality scorer, but they have the weapons to turn this around. Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom have led the way in the series with four points each and need to get going in Game 5. Depth from guys like Tom Wilson, Lars Eller, Brett Connolly and Evgeni Kuznetsov has to be there too. Those players all stepped up big time during Washington’s Stanley Cup run a year ago and many of whom played well in Games 1 and 2. They were all non-factors in Games 3 and 4.
The Capitals also need Braden Holtby to perform better after giving up seven goals on the last 69 shots that he faced. Holtby has a .905 save percentage so far in this series but as we mentioned heading into Game 3, his home-away splits are quite sizable. That’s carried over into this series as he has a .912 save percentage at home compared to .898 on the road. Some home cooking should help him get back on track.
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