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
Series Head-to-Head: Hurricanes 1-0 Capitals
Time: 7 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: ESPN, TVAS, Sportsnet
This edition of NHL predictions takes a look at Game 2 the Hurricanes and Capitals in today’s NHL predictions. Carolina is coming off a 2-1 overtime victory to steal the series-opener. Jaccob Slavin potted the overtime-winner to give the Canes a 1-0 series lead over the Metropolitan Division-winning Capitals.
Carolina did a great job in limiting Washington’s highly-regarded offence. The Hurricanes only allowed a single goal on 14 shots in the first game of the series. We’ll likely see a better effort for the Caps, but they need to get some offensive momentum going in order to even the series up at one.
Let’s look at the stats and storylines for Game 2 in this round of NHL predictions.
The Hurricanes Story
This game was a rock fight and that’s exactly what Carolina wanted. The Canes were suffocating on defence and didn’t allow space for the Capitals to get any offensive momentum. Frederik Andersen only needed to make 13 saves in the first game. The Danish netminder is expected to get the start again and didn’t look like the injury bothered him.
Sebastian Aho leads the team in points with eight so far this post-season. Andrei Svechnikov is the team’s leader in goals with five in this Stanley Cup Playoff run.
The Capitals Story
Washington struggled at times to get its vaunted offence going. Chances were few and far between for the regular-season Eastern Conference leaders. Capitals Head Coach Spencer Carbery is hoping for a better performance in Game 2. Logan Thompson made 31 saves, but is going to need some support in order to tie the series.
Dylan Strome leads the Capitals in points with nine, including seven assists. Alex Ovechkin is Washington’s leader in goals with four this post-season campaign.
Prediction
We’re expecting a better effort from the Capitals in Game 2. Carolina is prepared for this, but the first 10 minutes are going to be key in this one. If the Capitals get off to a good start, it could spell problems for the Hurricanes.
This game is going to be critical and Washington knows it has to tie the series. The Capitals don’t want to go to Raleigh down 0-2.
Prediction: Capitals win 3-2.
Prop Bets of the Night
We finish out NHL predictions with some prop bets of the night. The over/under for this game is 5.5 for this game and we like the under in this one with the way the two defences have been playing.
For individual props, go with Jordan Martinook to get a point for the Hurricanes. On the Capitals side of things, go with Connor McMichael to tally an assist in this one.
Main photo by: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
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