Carolina Hurricanes vs Washington Capitals Picks and Predictions November 3rd 2024

Looking to win big? The Capitals and Hurricanes face off at 5:00 ET on ESPN+. The Hurricanes are hosting the game at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, NC. The over/under for this Metropolitan division contest is set at 6 goals, with the Hurricanes being favored by -1.5 at home against the Capitals.

Washington vs. Carolina Key Information

• Teams: Capitals at Hurricanes
• Where: Lenovo Center Raleigh
• Date: Sunday, November 3rd
• Betting Odds CAR -230 | WAS +190 O/U 6

The Capitals Can Win If…

Washington improved to 8-2-0 with a 7-2 road win over the Blue Jackets. The Capitals covered the puck line as -1.5 goal favorites, and the total of 9 goals easily surpassed the pre-game line of 6.5 goals.

Six different players scored for the Capitals, who jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first period. Connor McMichael led the team with two goals.

Washington’s offense fired 7 goals on 22 shots in their 7-2 win over Columbus. Connor McMichael scored twice, bringing his season total to 7 goals. Dylan Strome added his 4th goal of the season, while Alex Ovechkin netted his 6th goal and picked up two assists, giving him 7 assists this year.

The Capitals scored 5 times in the first period, with Aliaksei Protas getting his 4th goal and Nic Dowd adding his 4th as well. Washington recorded 21 giveaways in the game.

On the defensive side, the Capitals will look to build on their last game, where they allowed just two goals to Columbus. Logan Thompson made 34 saves with a 94.4% save percentage. The defense also contributed 4 takeaways and 14 hits. Both goals they allowed came in the 2nd period, at 19:11 and 5:24.

• Washington will look to keep things rolling as they have put together a mark of 3-0 over their past three games. This also includes going 3-0 puck line and an over-under mark of 3-0.
• Across Washington’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 8-2. Against the spread, Washington went 8-2 in these games and finished with an over-under mark of 6-3-1.

The Hurricanes Can Win If…

Carolina improved to 7-2-0 with an 8-2 win over the Bruins. The Hurricanes covered the puck line as -1.5 goal favorites, with the total of 10 goals surpassing the pre-game line of 6.

Six different players scored for the Hurricanes, with Jack Roslovic and Andrei Svechnikov each contributing two goals. Carolina scored first at 13:32 in the opening period, and the game was tied briefly before they pulled away.

Carolina’s offense exploded for 8 goals on 37 shots in their 8-2 win over Boston. Jack Roslovic netted his 5th and 6th goals of the season, while Andrei Svechnikov added his 3rd and 4th, including a power-play goal. Martin Necas, who scored his 5th goal, also picked up two assists, bringing his total to 10 for the season.

The Hurricanes scored four times in the first period, with Svechnikov’s first goal coming on the power play. Carolina added two more goals in the second period, including another power-play goal from Svechnikov. Sean Walker and Jesperi Kotkaniemi rounded out the scoring in the third period, with Kotkaniemi’s goal being his first of the season.

Defensively, the Hurricanes will look to build off their last game, where they allowed just 2 goals to the Bruins. Pyotr Kochetkov made 13 saves with a save percentage of 86.7%. Carolina’s defense also recorded 11 takeaways, 12 hits, and 7 blocks. Both goals they allowed came before the 3rd period, with one coming at 13:11 in the 1st and the other at 3:38 in the 2nd.

• Carolina has put together a record of 3-0 over their past three games. Against the spread, the team is 2-1 in these same games while going 2-1 on the over/under.
• Carolina has put together a record of 7-3 in their last ten games (regular season). Their record against the puck line in this stretch is 6-4 to go along with an over-under mark of 4-4-2.

The Lean

If you’re looking for a straight moneyline bet, then the Hurricanes are the way to go. However, with a payout of -230, you might consider using this bet as a leg of a parlay.

If you’re looking for a puck line bet, I’d suggest going with the Capitals to cover. Even in the event of a Hurricanes victory, this game is expected to be closely fought, and the Capitals should cover the puck line.

With an over/under line sitting at 6 goals, we like this game to surpass that mark and recommend getting a bet down on the over.

The Carolina Hurricanes, riding a five-game winning streak, aim to keep their offensive surge going as they host the Washington Capitals on Sunday night in Raleigh, N.C. Both teams have demonstrated potent scoring ability lately, and the matchup promises to be a test of high-octane offenses.

Hurricanes’ Red-Hot Offense

Carolina is coming off a stunning 8-2 dismantling of the Boston Bruins, where they scored four goals in the first period alone. This offensive explosion doubled their previous season-high goal total and tied for the most goals by any team in a single NHL game so far this year. The Hurricanes have found a rhythm, and their ability to strike early and often has made them a formidable challenge.

Their success stems from balanced contributions throughout the lineup. Jack Roslovic, who has flourished in his first season with the Hurricanes, already has six goals. To put this in perspective, he netted only nine goals in 59 games last year between Columbus and the New York Rangers. Roslovic attributes his improved performance to fitting well into Carolina’s high-tempo system. “The style of play that we play,” Roslovic noted, “I enjoy playing in this system.”

Another standout is forward Martin Necas, who leads the Hurricanes with 15 points (five goals, 10 assists). He is far ahead of the pace that saw him collect 53 points over 77 games last season. Necas, along with his teammates, has capitalized on a productive power play, scoring three goals with the man advantage against Boston. The Hurricanes have netted at least one power-play goal in six of their nine games, showcasing their ability to convert on special teams.

“Our power play is clicking,” Necas said. “We’re trying to get on the net, win face-offs, execute good breakouts, and feel comfortable. We’re all good players there, and we’re trying to make plays.”

Additionally, Carolina has shown consistency in creating offensive pressure, taking at least 31 shots in each of their last eight games. The Hurricanes’ relentless approach has been key to their strong start, and they’ll look to continue this trend against Washington.

Capitals’ Offensive Revival

The Capitals have also been scoring prolifically. They rolled over the Columbus Blue Jackets 7-2 on Saturday, marking another game in which they tallied at least four goals. In fact, Washington has scored four or more goals in seven of their eight wins this season, and they’ve netted five or more in half of their ten games.

Coach Spencer Carbery is pleased with his team’s offensive production. “I’m glad that from a scoring production standpoint, we’ve done a pretty good job thus far,” Carbery said after Saturday’s victory. The Capitals struck five times in the first period against Columbus, demonstrating their ability to take early control.

Alex Ovechkin continues to be a dominant force, notching back-to-back three-point games for the first time since November 2021. The Capitals’ captain is heating up, and his resurgence is timely for a Washington team looking to maintain its offensive momentum.

Capitals Face Roster Adjustments

Despite the offensive success, the Capitals have had to deal with roster changes. Defenseman Jakob Chychrun was placed on injured reserve, prompting the call-up of defenseman Vincent Iorio from the AHL’s Hershey Bears. Carbery confirmed that Iorio is expected to play against the Hurricanes, bringing in fresh legs as the Capitals prepare for a tough matchup.

Playing on consecutive days presents an additional challenge for Washington. It’s their second back-to-back of the season, and the first time, they swept a home-and-home series against the Philadelphia Flyers on Oct. 22-23. The Capitals will need to bring energy and precision to match Carolina’s high-powered attack.

Goaltending Battle

In goal, the Hurricanes are likely to start Pyotr Kochetkov again. With Frederik Andersen sidelined due to a “week-to-week” injury, Kochetkov has stepped up as Carolina’s primary netminder. The backup spot belongs to Spencer Martin, who is ready to provide support if needed.

Washington, meanwhile, has not confirmed its starting goalie for Sunday, but they may opt to rest Charlie Lindgren, who played Saturday, and give backup Hunter Shepard the nod. With back-to-back games, managing goaltending fatigue and performance will be crucial for the Capitals.

Key Matchups and Storylines

Carolina’s Power Play vs. Washington’s Penalty Kill

With the Hurricanes converting regularly on the power play, the Capitals will need to be disciplined and strong on the penalty kill to limit scoring opportunities. The special teams battle could have a major impact on the game’s outcome.

Alex Ovechkin’s Form

Ovechkin’s return to form adds a dangerous element to Washington’s attack. The Hurricanes must be wary of his presence on the ice, especially in high-danger scoring areas. Shutting down Ovechkin will be a key priority for Carolina’s defense.

Goaltending Performance

Both teams have questions in net, and a standout performance from either Kochetkov or Washington’s goaltender could tip the scales in this high-stakes game. With both teams’ offenses firing, goaltending will play a crucial role in deciding the winner.

Historical Context

Last season, the Capitals and Hurricanes split their first two meetings, both ending in shootouts. Carolina took the rubber match with a 4-2 victory in April. Given the offensive firepower and recent form of both teams, fans can expect another thrilling encounter between these Metropolitan Division foes.

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Conclusion

The Hurricanes are clicking offensively and will look to keep their foot on the gas against a Capitals team coming off an impressive win. Meanwhile, Washington, buoyed by Ovechkin’s hot streak, aims to maintain their scoring touch. With both teams’ offenses firing, Sunday’s matchup promises to be an exciting, high-energy clash that could come down to special teams and goaltending.