Stadium Showdown: Forecast, Wagers, and Favorites for Capitals vs. Hurricanes in 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Tie's at one game apiece as the Washington Capitals collide with the Carolina Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It's high time for another Game 3 prediction and pick in our series.
Game one saw the Capitals grab the lead, but the Hurricanes managed to get it level. In overtime, Jaccob Slavin netted the goal for the Hurricanes to secure an overtime victory. In game two, it was another scoreless first period, just like before. Connor McMichael found the back of the net first to make it 1-0. Next, John Carlson capitalized on the power play to widened the gap to 2-0. Shayne Gostisbehere replied on the power play to get the Hurricanes on the scoreboard, but Tom Wilson added an empty net goal to seal a 3-1 win for the Capitals.
Now, let's dig into the NHL odds for this mouth-watering contest, courtesy of FanDuel.
Stanley Cup Playoffs Odds: Capitals-Hurricanes Game 3
Washington Capitals: +1.5 (-164), Moneyline: +155
Carolina Hurricanes: -1.5 (+134), Moneyline: -188
Over: 5.5 (-108)
Under: 5.5 (-112)
How To Watch Capitals vs. Hurricanes Stanley Cup Playoffs
Time: 6:00 PM ET/ 3:00 PM PT
TV: TNT/truTV/Max
Why the Capitals Will Cover the Spread/Win
The Capitals' top line is led by Alex Ovechkin, who was the team's goal-scoring machine this year with 44 goals and 29 assists. He has four goals and an assist in the playoffs. Dylan Strome joins Ovechkin on the top line. Strome led the team in assists and points, wrapping up the regular season with 29 goals and 53 assists. Strome has two goals and eight assists in the playoffs, leading the team with ten playoff points. The line is completed by Aliaksei Protas, who has a goal and an assist in the playoffs.
The second line is steered by Pierre-Luc Dubois and Connor McMichael. Dubois contributed four goals and 46 assists this season. Dubois has two assists in the playoffs. McMichael finished the regular season with 26 goals and 31 assists. McMichael has four goals and two assists in the playoffs. The line is rounded off by Tom Wilson, who contributed 33 goals and 32 assists in the regular season and has three goals and four assists in the playoffs so far.
Logan Thompson is expected between the pipes for the Capitals. He boasted a record of 31-6-6 last season with a 2.49 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage. He has a .939 save percentage and a 2.01 goals-against average in the playoffs, stopping 27 of 28 shots in the last game.
Why the Hurricanes Will Cover the Spread/Win
The top line for the Hurricanes is led by Sebastian Aho. Aho led the team in points and assists this year with 29 goals and 45 assists, tallying 74 points in total. He has three goals and six assists in the playoffs. Jackson Blake and Andrei Svechnikov complete the top line. Blake managed 17 goals and 17 assists this year but has a goal and three assists in the playoffs. Svechnikov registered 20 goals and 28 assists this season, finishing third on the team in points. Svechnikov also has five goals and an assist in the playoffs.
Meanwhile, Seth Jarvis leads the third line with 32 goals and 35 assists this season. He has two goals and four assists in the playoffs. Logan Stankoven has been solid from the second line, registering three goals and an assist in the playoffs. Finally, Shayne Gostisbehere has performed well from the blue line. He scored seven goals and 38 assists in the regular season, placing fourth on the team in points. Gostisbehere has an impressive two goals and three assists so far in the playoffs.
Frederik Andersen will be the keeper between the pipes for the Hurricanes in this one. He showed a record of 13-8-1 last season with a 2.50 goals-against average and a .899 save percentage. Andersen shone in the playoffs with a .930 save percentage, allowing more than two goals only once. He stopped 18 of 20 shots in the last game, unfortunately ending up on the losing side.
Final Capitals-Hurricanes Prediction & Pick
The Hurricanes might be the favorites on the odds spectrum, but they'll need to crack Logan Thompson if they wish to win. Thompson has an exceptional .951 save percentage in the series, only conceding more than two goals in one game in the playoffs. Frederik Andersen has been solid as well, with a .930 save percentage in the playoffs, allowing more than two goals only once too. Although both teams have the potential to score heavily, this series has so far been defensive, so expect a defensive game in Game 3 as well.
Final Capitals-Hurricanes Prediction & Pick: Under 5.5 (-112)
The upcoming Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Washington Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes promises intense betting action, with Logan Thompson's outstanding save percentage for the Capitals making them a tough challenge for the Hurricanes. Regardless of the NHL odds favoring the Hurricanes (-1.5 (+134)), the series has so far been defense-oriented, indicating that the Under 5.5 (-112) might be the more viable pick for this match.
