Carolina Hurricanes vs Washington Capitals Prediction, 5/8/2025 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Carolina Hurricanes vs Washington Capitals

Date: Thursday, May 8, 2025

Location: Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Hurricanes (-135) Capitals (+115)

The Carolina Hurricanes (47-30-5) are on their way to Capital One Arena on Thursday where they will take on the Washington Capitals (51-22-9) in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Carolina leads the series 1 - 0. The moneyline on this game has the Hurricanes at -135 while the Capitals are coming in at +115. The betting total is set at 6.

In Game 1, the Carolina Hurricanes had a good night with a 2-1 win against the Capitals. Carolina accumulated 4 minutes in the box in this matchup. The Hurricanes had a below average offensive outing in this victory. Additionally, they had 3 power play opportunities but weren't able to convert one of them into a goal. In the matchup, they converted 2 of the 33 shots they attempted.

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At even strength, the Hurricanes have conceded 190 goals while getting 220 themselves. Carolina Hurricanes opponents have totaled 244 power play opportunities (5th in pro hockey) and have scored 40 goals in those chances. In the matter of scoring goals, the Carolina Hurricanes have notched 266 goals (9th in pro hockey) this year and have allowed 230. Carolina has attempted 2,599 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 10.2%. For the season, they have earned 99 points and their points percentage comes in at .604. The Hurricanes have had 2,044 shots attempted against them and hold a save percentage of .887. Carolina skates onto the rink with 246 power play chances and they have scored 46 goals during those advantages, garnering them a percentage of 18.70%.

The player between the pipes for this game is Frederik Andersen. The opposition has racked up 1,273 goals against Andersen in his NHL career and his goals against average is 2.67. Andersen has taken the ice for 517 games throughout his professional hockey career. He has a save percentage of .915 for his 28,621 minutes played. He has accumulated a record of 308-135-53 and he was named the starter in 503 games. In his professional hockey career, Andersen has compiled 290 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .577. Andersen has had 15,007 shots taken against him and has recorded 13,734 total saves.

In Game 1, the Capitals tallied 1 goal out of the 14 shots on goal they took. They had 2 opportunities on the power play in this game but weren't able to score a goal.

Washington has taken 2,265 shots (22nd in the NHL) and has accumulated a shot percentage of 12.63%, while allowing the other team 2,229 shots. They have accumulated a penalty kill rate of 82.01% on the other teams 239 opportunities on the power play, and their save percentage is 89.7%. They have a total of 221 power play opportunities and they have accumulated a power play rate of 23.53%. The Capitals have accumulated 234 goals at even strength and 52 goals (13th in professional hockey) while having more men on the ice. They have granted a total of 229 goals to be scored by of a combination of 186 goals at even strength and 43 goals while they were shorthanded. For the year, the Washington Capitals have earned a total of 286 goals, 111 points, as well as a points percentage of .677.

On the other side of the ice you are likely to see Logan Thompson in the crease. Thompson has amassed a career record of 87-38-17 and has played in 146 games. Thompson's percentage of quality starts sits at 59.9% and he has 82 quality starts in his career. He has a tally of 3,804 stops out of the 4,173 shots attempted against him, giving him a save % of .912. Opponents are averaging 3.67 goals per contest and he has relinquished 369 goals overall. He was named a starter in 137 games and has accumulated 6,028 minutes.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Josh's Pick: Take Carolina (-135)

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