The Washington Capitals (0-0-0) and the Carolina Hurricanes (0-0-1) meet Friday at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let's analyze NHL odds around the Capitals vs. Hurricanes odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
2025-26 season series: Capitals won 2-1
The Capitals are 1 of 7 teams yet to open their 2026-27 NHL season, but that ends Friday night against the rival and defending Stanley Cup champs in Raleigh. The Caps won 4-1 as underdogs (+126) in their only visit to Carolina on Nov. 11, 2025, last season as the Under (6.5) cashed. The other 2 meetings in D.C. either went to OT or SO, with the teams splitting those battles. The Under is 3-1 in the past 4 in the series, and 6-2 across
the previous 8 encounters.
The Caps added D Vincent Desharnais in the offseason to bolster the blue line, while adding Fs Jordan Kyrou, Boone Jenner and Alex Tuch to improve the offseason, while re-signing F Alex Ovechkin to an incentive-laden 1-year deal.
The Canes opened the season with a 1-0 loss in overtime to the Florida Panthers in Raleigh as moderate favorites (-130) as the Under (6.5) was never in question. G Brandon Bussi stopped 19 of 20 shots, but he received no offensive support.
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Capitals at Hurricanes odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:51 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Capitals +122 (bet $100 to win $122) | Hurricanes -146 (bet $146 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Capitals +1.5 (-205) | Hurricanes -1.5 (+164)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +106 | U: -130)
Capitals at Hurricanes projected goalies
Logan Thompson (31-21-6, 2.44 GAA, .912 SV%, 4 SO in 2025-26 regular season) vs. Brandon Bussi (0-0-1, 0.92 GAA, .950 SV%)
Thompson is confirmed to start Friday night. He went 1-0-1 with a 1.44 GAA and .957 SV% in 2 starts against the Hurricanes last season. That includes 30 saves on 31 shots in a 4-1 road win in Raleigh.
Bussi came up short against the Panthers in the opener, but he carried a shutout into overtime before getting beaten by D Gustav Forsling. He allowed 2 goals on 25 shots in a 3-2 SOW on Dec. 11, 2025, in Washington in his only appearance against the Caps.
Capitals at Hurricanes picks and predictions
Prediction
Hurricanes 3, Capitals 2
Moneyline
The HURRICANES (-146) are a solid play as moderate favorites at him, as they look for their first win -- and first goals -- of the season. Thompson is a tough goalie to try to solve, and Washington's fresh and excited about playing in its opener, so expect a tight game.
Puck line/Against the spread
The Capitals +1.5 (-205) will cost you more than 2 times your potential return, and that's way too much for a little bit of insurance. If you like Washington, just bet it straight up.
PASS.
Over/Under
UNDER 6.5 (-130) might be the best play on the board. Bussi was strong in his first game, and Thompson allowed few goals to the Canes in his encounters. The Under is 6-2 in the past 8 meetings in this series, so even with plenty of offense on both sides, defense will be the rule.
Best prop bet
Capitals F ALEX OVECHKIN - OVER 2.5 SHOTS ON GOALS (-120) is a strong play, as Ovie will be a good bet to get to 3 or more shots. He had 32 goals and 64 points in 82 games last season, while taking 244 shots on goal. That's an average of nearly 3 per game. Ovechkin had a goal and 3 points in 3 games against Carolina in 2025-26, averaging 2.7 SOG.
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Follow Daniel Dobish on X at @danieledobish. Follow SportsbookWire on X at SportsBookWire and on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: Washington Capitals at Carolina Hurricanes odds, picks and predictions
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