The second round of the NHL Playoffs began last night and tonight’s two-game slate begins with Game 1 tonight between the Capitals and Hurricanes. Washington finds itself as a +120 home underdog on the Moneyline on DraftKings Sportsbook. The game total is set at O/U 5.5 goals with Frederik Andersen and Logan Thompson starting between the pipes.
Please read below for a full preview and prediction for tonight’s second-round Game 1 matchup between the Capitals and Hurricanes.
Capitals vs. Hurricanes Game 1 preview, prediction
Both the Capitals and Hurricanes won their first-round series in five games against the Canadiens and Devils, respectively. Washington ranks third in 5v5 goal percentage this postseason and has received elite goaltending from Thompson, who ranks second in both goals saved above expected and save percentage. Dylan Strome leads the Caps with nine points while Alex Ovechkin netted four first-round goals, tied for the third-most this postseason.
Carolina hasn’t fully clicked on offense yet this postseason, ranking 10th in 5v5 goal percentage. But, it is creating quality chances, ranking fourth in 5v5 high-danger chances and third in expected 5v5 goal percentage. Plus, its special teams have been stellar, ranking fourth in power play percentage and first in penalty kill percentage. Andersen has been just as trustworthy as Thompson, ranking third in goals saved above expected and first in save percentage. His health is a question mark and he didn’t play in Game 5 but will play tonight, per head coach Rob Brind’Amour. Sebastian Aho leads the team with eight points and Andrei Svechnikov has stepped up in a big way with five goals and six points in five games this postseason.
These two teams met four times in the regular season, splitting the series, 2-2. In the first round of the 2019 NHL Playoffs, these two clubs met, and Carolina walked with the double-overtime Game 7 win in Brind’Amour’s first series as a head coach.
Capitals vs. Hurricanes Game 1 pick, best bet
Maybe I’m in the minority but it feels odd to have the better team as a home underdog in Game 1. Carolina’s annual postseason issues have been caused by its lack of offensive production and depth. Washington has the edge in that department, and fields a deadly powerplay led by one of the greatest goalscorers of all time in Ovechkin. The Canes were perfect on the penalty kill in the first round but the Caps pose a bigger threat than the Jack Hughes-less Devils on the powerplay. The goaltending is stellar and goals may be hard to come by but I’m backing the better 5v5 team that happens to be playing in front of its home fans.
