We always expect to see drama during the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs, but the rest of the postseason has a lot to live up to if it is to match what has gone down in the opening round. We have seen the team with the best regular season record, the Tampa Bay Lightning, get swept in 4 games. We have also seen the #1 seed in the West, the Calgary Flames, get bounced. Last night, we had a pair of Game 7 match-ups that delivered some serious thrills, with the Boston Bruins and the San Jose Sharks punching their tickets into the next round.
The opening round will draw to a close on Wednesday night, but not before we get another Game 7 to enjoy. The Washington Capitals, who just happen to be the defending Stanley Cup champions, will try to put away the pesky Carolina Hurricanes on home ice in Game 7 of the series. It has been the home team that has held sway in all previous 6 games, so no surprise that Washington are favored by 1 ½. The goal total for this one has been set at 5 ½.
Hurricanes vs Capitals 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs Odds & Game 7 Prediction
A recap of last night 👇 pic.twitter.com/OsJcquQTQc
— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) 23 de abril de 2019
- When: Wednesday, April 24 at 7:30 PM EST
- Where: Capital One Arena, Washington
- TV: NBCSN
- Radio: Caps Radio
- Live Stream: NHL.tv
- 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs Odds: Washington Capitals -160 (Total 5.5)
Why bet on the Carolina Hurricanes?
This was one of those series that most of us believed would be over early, based solely on the seeding. It was very easy to forget that the Hurricanes finished just 5 points behind the Capitals in what was a very tight Metropolitan Division race. The problem that the Hurricanes have heading into this crucial Game 7 is that they cannot seem to solve the Capitals on the road, as they have now lost 5 straight games in the nation’s capital.This is not to suggest that they are doomed here, as Carolina did put together a decent road record in the regular season, going 22-16-3. They were blown away and shut-out in Game 5, so it goes without saying that they need to be a whole lot better on Wednesday night.
Team Stats
Offense- Goals: 2.98
- Shots: 34.24
- PP/PK Percentage: 17.34
Defense
- Goals: 2.73
- Shots: 28.35
- PP/PK Percentage: 19.23
Why bet on the Washington Capitals?
Prior to last season, when the Capitals won it all, this was a team that had developed a bit of a reputation for choking in the playoffs. They seemed to put that to rest last year, but those doubts might come thundering back if they go out in the opening round when trying to defend their crown.
The Capitals have been perfect at home in this series, winning all 3 games there, plus they went an impressive 24-11-6 in their own building during the regular season, so they certainly seem like a very good bet here. Over the course of their 3 homes games, the Capitals have scored 14 and surrendered just 5, so it has been quite a dominant display with home-ice advantage.
Team Stats
Offense- Goals: 3.35
- Shots: 30.07
- PP/PK Percentage: 21.40
Defense
- Goals: 3.02
- Shots: 31.55
- PP/PK Percentage: 20.35
Hurricanes vs Capitals 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs Betting Trends
- Carolina is 5-12 SU in their last 17 games against Washington
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Carolina’s last 5 games on the road
- Washington is 6-1 SU in their last 7 games at home
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington’s last 6 games against Carolina
Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction for Hurricanes vs Capitals
A lot of the talk right now is about Hurricanes captain Justin Williams, who has a 7-1 SU record in Game 7’s during his career. It’s a nice little stat, but I don’t see his record improving in this Game 7.Score: Carolina Hurricanes 3 – Washington Capitals 5
