The Carolina Hurricanes and the Washington Capitals meet in Game 1 of their best-of-7, Eastern Conference semifinals series in the Stanley Cup Playoffs Tuesday. Puck drop at Capital One Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Hurricanes vs. Capitals odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.

Regular-season series: Tied 2-2

The Hurricanes quickly eliminated the New Jersey Devils in a first-round series 4-1. Their only loss came in a double-overtime thriller on the road in Game 3. Favored in all 5 games, Carolina outscored New Jersey 19-11 in the “gentleman’s sweep.” RW Andrei Svechnikov led the Hurricanes with 5 goals, but C Sebastian Aho was the standout with 8 points (3 goals, 5 assists). The Over/Under (O/U) went 2-3 as the first 3 games cashed Unders before back-to-back Overs to close the series.

Washington, the East’s top seed, defeated the young and talented Montreal Canadiens in 5 games to get here, though it was closer than the final 4-1 series result suggests. After winning the first 2 games at home and dropping Game 3 in Montreal, the Capitals trailed 2-1 after 2 periods in Game 4 with the Canadiens on the verge of tying the series.

However, the Caps outscored the Habs 8-1 over the next 4 periods — 4 goals in the third period of Game 4 for a 5-2 victory April 27, followed by a 4-1 home victory in a clinching Game 5 Wednesday. C Dylan Strome had an outstanding series, finishing with 9 points (2 goals, 7 assists), while LW Alex Ovechkin tallied a team-high 4 goals. Washington was favored in all 5 games as the O/U went 2-3 with Games 3 and 4 hitting the Over.

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Hurricanes at Capitals odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:55 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Hurricanes -125 (bet $125 to win $100) | Capitals +105 (bet $100 to win $105)Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Hurricanes -1.5 (+200) | Capitals +1.5 (-250)Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: +100 | U: -120)Hurricanes at Capitals projected goalies

Frederik Andersen (3-1-0, 1.59 GAA, .936 SV% — postseason) vs. Logan Thompson (4-1-0, 2.23 GAA, .923 SV% — postseason)

Andersen was exceptional in the Devils series. He boasts a notable career regular-season record of 10-4-3 vs. the Capitals with a 2.58 GAA and .912 SV%. The 35-year-old Danish native has a ton of postseason experience. Since his playoff debut with the Anaheim Ducks in 2014, he is 41-31 in the playoffs with a 2.42 GAA and a .915 SV%, making him a reliable postseason performer.

Thompson was impressive in the Canadiens series. However, he’s only faced the Hurricanes twice in his career and lost both games — 6-3 Dec. 19, 2023 and 5-1 April 2, 2025, finishing with a 8.34 GAA and .780 SV%. While the 28-year-old Canadian lacks extensive playoff experience, Thompson has been solid overall, posting a 6-3 career record, 2.29 GAA and .922 SV% (in 5 games this season and 4 games for the Vegas Golden Knights in 2024).

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Hurricanes at Capitals picks and predictionsPrediction

Capitals 3, Hurricanes 2

BET CAPITALS (+105).

The two teams split their season series with the home team winning each game. Thompson is 3-0 at home with a 1.32 GAA, and .956 SV% in these playoffs so far. Andersen faced Washington at Capital One Arena April 10 and allowed 4 goals on 28 shots in a 5-4 shootout loss — G Charlie Lindgren started for the Caps and gave up 4 goals on 34 shots.

RW Tom Wilson played a key role in Washington’s first-round series, delivering a game-changing hit in Game 4 that sparked the team. He brought his physicality to the Hurricanes in the April 10 shootout battle, scoring a goal, blocking 3 shots, and delivering a game-high 5 hits.

With Washington at home and benefiting from Wilson’s momentum, I like the CAPITALS (+105) to take Game 1.

PASS.

No need to play with the puck line since we have the Caps getting plus odds on the moneyline.

BET UNDER 6 (-120).

The Under went 2-1-1 in the 4 head-to-heat meetings this season. Early in a playoff series, teams tend to play tight as they feel each other out, making the Under a strong play. The Under hit in the first 3 games of Carolina’s series against New Jersey and the first 2 in Washington’s series against Montreal.

It might be worth it to wager part of this full-unit bet on the alternate line of UNDER 5.5 (+100) since we’re getting plus-odds.

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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