Washington Capitals vs. Carolina Hurricanes Game 3: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

After splitting the first two games at home in Washington in an Eastern Conference semifinal series, the Capitals head to Raleigh to take on the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 3 on Saturday at 6 PM ET. 

Tom Wilson scored an empty netter with a minute left in the game to seal the deal and added an assist as the Capitals took Game 2 last night, 3-1. Connor McMichael and John Carlson also scored for Washington, which improved to 4-1 at home in the postseason. 

Logan Thompson made 27 saves and posted a .963 save percentage. Thompson has allowed just three goals this series and seven goals total in Washington’s five wins this postseason.

Carolina did what it needed to in the first two games, however. The Hurricanes earned the split on the road with a triumph in the series opener, the only time in six games between the teams this season that the away team picked up a victory.

Their relentless pressure at the offensive end is producing waves of chances. Although Washington had more freedom last time out, it still only resulted in two goals in 59 minutes ahead of Wilson’s empty netter.

That pressure was even more on display in Game 1, a 2-1 overtime victory. Jaccob Slavin scored the game-winner, while Logan Stankoven also scored for Carolina. Frederik Andersen returned between the pipes after missing part of Game 4 and all of Game 5  of Carolina’s first-round series win over the New Jersey Devils.

With the series moving to Lenovo Center in Raleigh, read below to see our experts’ predictions for this Game 3 matchup.

Washington Capitals vs. Carolina Hurricanes betting picks and predictions

Carolina Hurricanes -1.5 (+135)

Carolina is extremely tough at home. Although the Capitals had the best record in the Eastern Conference, the Hurricanes pulled the most points from home contests, going 31-9-1.

That dominant performance has continued into the postseason as the team won all three home contests versus the Devils in the first round, outscoring New Jersey 12-6 and allowing just one goal in two of those three games.

The Hurricanes took both home matchups with the Caps in the regular season, winning by a combined 9-3 score.

Our experts expect Carolina to revert back to their Game 1 performance and generate even more offensive chances to beat the stingy Thompson enough for the Hurricanes to win and cover the 1.5-goal spread as favorites. 

Under 5.5 total goals (+100)

At some point in this series, there will most likely be an offensive breakout. And it could be Saturday night if the Hurricanes get hot in front of the home crowd.

But the series still feels like a tight defensive battle every game, every period. A 2-1 or 3-1 finish feels much more realistic than a 5-3 offensive explosion.

Our experts expect another low-scoring affair tomorrow evening, with the two teams totaling Under 5.5 goals. 

Tom Wilson Anytime Goalscorer (+325)

The two teams have scored seven combined goals so far in this series. There have also been seven goal scorers. And none of them were the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer, Alex Ovechkin.

He would be a nice consideration here at +155 because you figure he’s due after scoring four goals in five games in the Caps’ first-round series win over the Montreal Canadiens.

However, the focus is on Wilson this time out because this is the kind of series the physical right winger excels in. The Caps may only score one goal, but Wilson is as good a bet as anyone right now to score it. 

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Washington Capitals vs. Carolina Hurricanes Game 3 odds

Washington Capitals	+170 ML
Carolina Hurricanes	-205 ML
Puck Line	CAR Hurricanes -1.5
Total	O/U 5.5

Washington Capitals vs. Carolina Hurricanes Game 3 player props

Anytime Goalscorer

Alex Ovechkin (Washington Capitals)	+155
Dylan Strome (Washington Capitals)	+275
Tom Wilson (Washington Capitals)	+325
Sebastian Aho (Carolina Hurricanes)	+155
Seth Jarvis (Carolina Hurricanes)	+155
Andrei Svechnikov (Carolina Hurricanes)	+200

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.