Carolina Hurricanes vs. Washington Capitals Game 5 Prediction, NHL Playoff Odds
The Hurricanes rolled to a 5-2 home victory in Game 4 and now return to Washington sporting a commanding 3-1 series lead. The Capitals find themselves facing an early playoff exit for the sixth time in as many playoff appearances but have claimed victory in six of their past eight home contests.
The Hurricanes are listed as -175 road favourites on the Thursday NHL odds and have rocketed to -2500 chalk on the NHL playoff series prices. The Capitals are pegged as a +145 bet to extend the series with a win on Thursday but lag as distant +1100 long shots to rebound and eventually win this series.
Hurricanes vs. Capitals NHL Betting Odds
The Hurricanes seized control of this series with another dominant victory in Game 5 and now sport a 7-2 record so far in this postseason, but have seen each of those defeats come on the road and have now lost eight of their past 10 away from Lenovo Arena.
Carolina has effectively shut down the Capitals attack, allowing just six total goals through the first four games of the series, while scoring at least four goals in four of their past six contests. However, the UNDER has held the edge in NHL totals betting when the Canes are in action, going 6-3 in their past nine outings.
Now poised to bow out of the playoffs early yet again, the Capitals remain plagued by the offensive woes that afflicted them down the stretch. Winners in just nine of their past 21 games, the Capitals have scored an average of just 2.62 goals per game over that stretch.
Slow starts have been a particular concern, with Caps shooters failing to bulge the twine in first-period action so far in this series. The upside can be found on the totals, where UNDER bettors have enjoyed payouts in eight of 12 contests.
Carolina Hurricanes
Taylor Hall enjoyed one of his best performances of the postseason in Game 4, potting a goal and adding an assist. However, the former first overall pick in the NHL Draft has struggled on the road, going pointless in four playoff games and compiling just three total points in his past 10 away contests.
Sebastian Aho rebounded from a forgettable performance in Game 3 with an assist in Monday’s win but has failed to score while recording just two points in this series. Conversely, Seth Jarvis ended a five-game scoring drought with his third goal of the playoffs and has averaged a point per game over his past seven outings.
Washington Capitals
The Capitals find themselves in familiar but unwelcome territory as they head home facing elimination. The club has enjoyed little playoff success since their Stanley Cup victory in 2018, posting just one series win and sport a dismal 1-5 record in their past six when facing elimination.
Alex Ovechkin finally picked up his first point of the series in Game 4, a third-period power play goal that briefly gave the Capitals hope. Jakob Chychrun also rediscovered his touch with his first goal and assist of the series. However, the trio of Pierre-Luc Dubois, Dylan Strome, and Connor McMichael have combined to score just one total goal in this series and must be far better if this series is to return to Carolina.
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