The Carolina Hurricanes (27-16-2) and Washington Capitals (30-11-5) battle at Capital One Arena in Washington at 7 p.m. ET Monday. We analyze the Hurricanes-Capitals sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.
Hurricanes at Capitals: Projected starting goalies
Petr Mrazek vs. Ilya Samsonov
Mrazek posted a shutout his last time out, Friday against the Arizona Coyotes. He has posted a 17-10-2 record with a 2.64 goals against average and .905 save percentage. He and backup James Reimer have three shutouts apiece, the first time in Whalers/Hurricanes franchise history they’ve had two goaltenders with three or more shutouts in the same season.
The rookie Samsonov is 12-2-1 with a 2.24 GAA and .921 save percentage, and he continues to eat into the playing time of Braden Holtby. He allowed three goals on 41 shots Jan. 3 in Raleigh in a win in his only meeting against the Hurricanes.
Place a sports bet on this hockey action or other games at BetMGM.
Hurricanes at Capitals: Odds, picks and betting tips
Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 9:30 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Capitals 4, Hurricanes 2
Moneyline (ML)
The CAPITALS (-143) will be facing a team coming off of back-to-back wins, so the Hurricanes (+120) are due to let a few in, especially in a hostile environment.
Carolina is also 2-9 in the past 11 games against Metropolitan Division opponents, and Washington is 1-4 in the past five divisional matchups, so something’s gotta give. The Caps are 12-5 in the past 17 as a favorite, so the arrow definitely points at them.
New to sports betting? Every $10 wagered on the Capitals ML will profit $7.00 if they win.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
The CAPITALS (-1.5, +180) might be a nice small-unit play. They edged the Canes 4-3 in Raleigh last time they met, snapping a four-game winning streak by Carolina in this series, including last season’s playoff matchup. Despite a win earlier this season, and a Game 7 win in D.C., the Canes are still just 4-11 in their past 15 trips to the nation’s capital.
Over/Under (O/U)
The UNDER 6.5 (-139) isn’t a slam-dunk play, but a good bet with Carolina coming in having pitched two straight shutouts, while Samsonov tends twine for Washington. He barely gives up more than two goals per contest.
Want some action on this matchup? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.
Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=2059]