Carolina Hurricanes vs. Washington Capitals Series Picks and Predictions

The Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals are meeting in the playoffs for the first time since a seven-game classic first round series in 2019.

The Hurricanes defeated the New Jersey Devils in five games in the first round to win a playoff series for the seventh straight year. That is the longest streak in the NHL since the Montreal Canadiens won a series 10 years in a row from 1984-1993, according to ESPN.com. Carolina is one of only four teams to reach the postseason each of the past seven years.

Coach Rod Brind'Amour has been at the helm for all seven of those campaigns and he has another strong squad.

The 'Canes outscored the Devils, 19-11, including four games where New Jersey was held to two goals or less. Sebastian Aho, who led the team with 45 assists and 74 points in the regular season, had three goals and a team-leading five assists to pace Carolina in the first round.

The Capitals won a playoff series for the first time in seven years with a five-game triumph over the Montreal Canadiens. The Caps had not won in the postseason since hoisting the Stanley Cup for the first time in franchise history in 2018.

Washington had lost five straight first-round series since then, including a heartbreaking defeat to the Hurricanes in 2019.

The regular season was focused almost squarely on Alex Ovechkin's pursuit of Wayne Gretzky's all-time NHL goal-scoring record, which he achieved late in the campaign. In the midst of it all, the Capitals finished first in the Eastern Conference.

The teams split their season series, winning two games apiece, with the home team winning every game. 

With all of that in mind, read our experts' picks and predictions regarding this series below.

Carolina Hurricanes vs. Washington Capitals series betting picks and predictions

Capitals to Win Game 1 and Lose Series (+325)

It's hard to go against a Capitals team that just pounded Montreal in the first round, outscoring the Habs in their four wins, 15-6.

Dylan Strome, who led the team with 53 assists and 82 points in the regular season, had a team-leading seven assists and nine points in the first round. Ovechkin was his usual brilliant self, scoring a team-high four goals. Tom Wilson did damage offensively (2G, 3A) and with body (team-leading 14 penalty minutes). 

Goaltender Logan Thompson was spectacular between the pipes in the series. He made 132 saves and posted a 2.23 goals against average and a .923 save percentage and was dominant in the Caps' four wins, allowing just six goals. But he did allow five goals in a 6-3, Game 3 loss to Montreal. It was the only game in which Thompson was pulled.

Carolina nearly matched Washington's first-round offensive output and was just as stingy on defense. Fredrik Andersen had a 1.59 GAA and a .900 save percentage while posting three wins against the Devils. His health is always a factor, but he was on point in the first round.

This pick reflects the confidence in a more playoff-seasoned Carolina side. Washington has a history of postseason heartbreak, and although our experts do expect them to take the series opener at home tomorrow night, they also expect Carolina to move on to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Washington Capitals to Take a 2-1 Series Lead (+180)

Both teams were demonstrably better at home in the four regular season matchups with each other. Carolina outscored Washington, 9-3, in two wins at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh. Washington returned the favor by outsourcing the 'Canes, 8-5, at Capital One Arena. 

Both teams exhibited their prowess on home ice in the first round. Washington and Carolina both went 3-0 in front of the home fans.

Although our experts don't expect the home team to win every game in this series, they are picking them to do so through the first three games.

Hurricanes to Win Series 4-3 (+500)

Ultimately, our experts are looking for the Hurricanes to duplicate their performance in 2019, when they knocked the Caps out of the first round in seven games on the strength of a 4-3, double-overtime win on the road in Game 7.

That would absolutely destroy Caps fans yet again, but Carolina has the squad and the right matchups to do just that. 

Read a full breakdown of Hurricanes vs. Capitals series odds on site.

Read more betting picks and predictions for the NHL on site