The Washington Capitals aim to level their playoff series when they host the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 2 of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs conference semifinals. Game 1 saw the Hurricanes secure a 2-1 overtime victory on the road, with Jaccob Slavin scoring the winner. Puck drop for Game 2 is scheduled for Thursday at 7 p.m. ET at Capital One Arena in Washington D.C.
In the latest odds, Carolina is favored on the money line at -135, while Washington is the underdog at +115. The over/under for total goals is set at 5.5, and the Hurricanes have a puck line of -1.5 (+195). Expert analysis suggests considering these odds before making betting choices.
Here are some key betting picks for the Capitals vs. Hurricanes Game 2 matchup:
Puck Line Pick
Capitals +1.5 (-230)
Recent history shows close contests between these two teams, with their last two meetings decided by just one goal. Despite being outshot significantly in Game 1 (33-14), the Capitals are expected to challenge the Hurricanes defense more aggressively in Game 2 to avoid falling into a 2-0 series deficit before heading to Raleigh. Analysis predicts Washington has a high probability of covering the +1.5 puck line.
Total Goals Pick
Under 5.5 (-102)
The `Under` trend has been prominent for both Carolina and Washington throughout the playoffs, occurring in four of their six games each. Solid performances from both starting goaltenders, Frederik Andersen for Carolina and Logan Thompson for Washington, have been a factor in these lower-scoring affairs.
Player Prop Pick
Sebastian Aho 1+ Assists (+114)
Carolina`s Finnish forward, Sebastian Aho, recorded five assists over four games in the previous playoff round but did not register a point in Game 1 against Washington. He also tallied three assists in four regular-season games against the Capitals. Betting on Aho to get at least one assist in Game 2 at +114 odds presents value based on his history.
