Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day our writers here at Last Word on Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at the Carolina Hurricanes taking on the Washington Capitals in this vitally important Game 1 of their second-round series. Don’t forget to check out more NHL Predictions , as our writers continue this series throughout the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.
NHL Predictions
Carolina Hurricanes vs Washington Capitals
Season Head-to-Head: Hurricanes 2-2 Capitals
Time: 7 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: Sportsnet; TVAS; ESPN
We’re into round two of the Stanley Cup Playoffs and old Southeast Division rivals get together in tonight’s NHL predictions. The Capitals and Hurricanes tied the season-series at two games apiece. Carolina defeated a banged up New Jersey Devils squad in five games to book their trip to the last eight.
Washington also won their opening-round series in five games. The Capitals took down the young and hungry Montreal Canadiens in their first series of the playoffs.
These two teams haven’t met each other a lot in the post-season. However, the stakes could make for some quick and entertaining hostility. Let’s take a look at Game 1 of Carolina versus Washington in today’s NHL predictions.
The Hurricanes Story
Frederik Andersen is expected to get the start, but he did deal with some injury struggles in the series against New Jersey. Pyotr Kochetkov is more than capable of filling in should Andersen go down or struggle against the Capitals.
Sebastian Aho led the team with eight points in the first-round versus the Devils. Andrei Svechnikov was close behind with six points and Seth Jarvis collected five points in five games for Carolina.
The Capitals Story
Washington experienced its own injury scare in the crease against Montreal. Logan Thompson left with an injury in Game 3, but was able to finish out the series. Charlie Lindgren is also a capable backup that can deputize if Washington needs to turn to him.
Dylan Strome has gotten off to a great start with nine points in five games so far this post-season. A number of players, including Alex Ovechkin and Tom Wilson are tied for second with five points on the team. That sharing the wealth could do well for the Capitals if they have designs on making a deep post-season run.
Prediction
These two teams had similar paths to get to this point in the playoffs. Both teams took a pair of games in the season series. However, Washington seemingly has just a little more in the depth category and were able to withstand a strong Montreal offensive unit.
Both teams also have yet to lose at home in the playoffs. Getting a road win could be absolutely critical. However, we think the Capitals hold serve at home in this one.
Prediction: Capitals win 3-2.
Prop Bets of the Night
We close out NHL predictions with some prop bets of the night. The over/under for this game is 5.5 and we think the under is a solid play in this matchup.
For individual props, go with Jarvis to score a power-play goal for Carolina. On the Washington side of things, take Strome to get the over on 1.5 assists in this game.
Main photo by: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
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