Carolina Hurricanes vs Washington Capitals Prediction, Preview and Odds - 12/20/2024

Game Time: 7:00 pm ET, Friday, December 20, 2024

Venue:  Capital One Arena, Washington, DC

Where to Watch:  ESPN+

DraftKings:  Moneyline:  Hurricanes -142, Capitals +120; Over/Under:  6 goals

Bet365:  Moneyline:  Hurricanes -140, Capitals +120; Over/Under:  6 goals

BetMGM:  Moneyline:  Hurricanes -140, Capitals +120; Over/Under:  6 goals

Carolina Hurricanes:  20-10-1 (3rd place, Metropolitan Division)

Washington Capitals:  21-8-2 (2nd place, Metropolitan Division)

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Carolina Hurricanes:  5-5-0 last 10

Washington Capitals:  7-2-1 last 10

The Hurricanes are entering this game with 41 points, a 20-10-1 record overall, and they are 7-6-1 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the New York Islanders in their last game, winning that one at home 4-0. Sebastian Aho, Tyson Jost, Jordan Martinook, and Andrei Svechnikov each scored 1 goal for them in that one. Shayne Gostisbehere led the team in assists with 2 while Jordan Martinook led the team in shots on net in that game with 5. Pyotr Kochetkov was the starting goalie in that game and he recorded the shutout as he allowed 0 goals on 32 shots with 32 saves and a 1.000 save percentage. Their offense has scored 112 goals this season averaging 3.6 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 87 goals against them allowing 2.8 goals per game.

The Capitals are entering this game with 44 points, a 21-8-2 record overall, and they are 9-4-2 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a loss against the Chicago Blackhawks in their last game, losing that one on the road 3-2. Pierre-Luc Dubois and Andrew Mangiapane each scored 1 goal for them in that one. Lars Eller and Jakub Vrána each led the team in assists with 1 while Connor McMichael led the team in shots on net in that game with 4. Logan Thompson was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 3 goals on 23 shots with 20 saves and a .870 sv percentage. Their offense has scored 118 goals this season averaging 3.8 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 83 goals against them allowing 2.7 goals per game.

The current betting odds have the Hurricanes listed as a favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Hurricanes have looked really good in their games this season with their 20-10-1 record overall which has them in 3rd place of their division in the East. They are coming off a shut out win over the Islanders in their last one and they have looked really good in their games lately. They have been putting pucks in the net lately, and their defense hasn't been giving many goals up either with their goalies playing really well at the moment. Meanwhile, the Capitals have looked really good in their games this season with their 21-8-2 record overall which has them in 2nd place of their division in the East and right above the Hurricanes. The Capitals haven't looked great in their games lately though. They are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games and have been winning a lot, but they have fallen into a mini slump now with 2 losses in a row. They are coming off a loss to the Blackhawks in their last one and they haven't been scoring many goals lately either. Their offensive troubles are going to be an issue in this game with the way the Hurricanes have looked defensively, and the Hurricanes also have the edge on offense right now as they are scoring goals. The Hurricanes are playing well and they can take advantage of the Capitals starting to cool off now. The best way to place a bet here is on the Hurricanes to win this game. 

Hurricanes Capitals Prediction:  Our NHL Pick for Friday, December 20, 2024 (7:00 pm ET start time) is Hurricanes 3 Capitals 1.

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Carolina Hurricanes: 137-81 (+4.4 units) on the moneyline in all games. 128-72 (+3.7 units) on the moneyline as a favorite. 21-10 (+6.9 units) on the moneyline off a home win against a division rival. 81-49 (+9.8 units) on the moneyline against explosive offensive teams - scoring 3+ goals/game. 68-40 UNDER after playing a home game.

Washington Capitals: 96-103 (-6.6 units) on the moneyline in all games. 49-50 (-9 units) on the moneyline in home games. 43-56 (-16 units) on the moneyline after playing a road game. 57-80 (-15.4 units) on the moneyline against good offensive teams - averaging 29.5+ shots on goal per game. 30-21 UNDER off a road loss.

Carolina Hurricanes:  J. Drury (C) Out - Hand. F. Andersen (G) Out - Knee. J. Fast (RW) Out - Neck.

Washington Capitals:  A. Ovechkin (LW) Out - Leg. S. Milano (LW) Out - Upper-body. N. Backstrom (C) Out For Season - Hip. T. Oshie (RW) Out For Season - Back.

"He's an NHL guy that's played a lot of games and is a little bit versatile. We've used him in every position, can kill penalties, can go on the power play. It's a real valuable player to have." - Rod Brind’Amour on Tyson Jost getting a shot in the lineup.

"We'll sort of see how the next 48 hours go and see if there's a potential of him playing in one of those." - Spencer Carbery on the injury to Alex Ovechkin.

LW Eric Robinson

C Sebastian Aho

RW Seth Jarvis

LD Jaccob Slavin

RD Brent Burns

G Pyotr Kochetkov

LW Connor McMichael

C Dylan Strome

RW Taylor Raddysh

LD Martin Fehervary

RD John Carlson

G Logan Thompson

Points: M. Necas (44)

Goals: M. Necas (14)

Assists: M. Necas (30)

GAA: D. Tokarski (1.00)

Points: D. Strome (38)

Goals: A. Ovechkin (15)

Assists: D. Strome (27)

GAA: L. Thompson (2.48)

Coaches:

Carolina Hurricanes: Rod Brind'Amour (7th season)

Washington Capitals: Spencer Carbery (2nd season)