Washington Capitals vs Carolina Hurricanes Prediction, 2/18/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Washington Capitals vs Carolina Hurricanes

Date: Saturday, February 18, 2023

Location: Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, NC

TV: Bally Sports South

Odds/Point Spread: Capitals (+168) Hurricanes (-205)

The Washington Capitals (28-23-6) are on their way to Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday where they will attempt to beat the Carolina Hurricanes (36-10-8). The line on this contest has Washington at +168 and Carolina is coming in at -205. The over/under has been set at 6.

The Washington Capitals will look to clean up some issues after taking a 6-3 loss to the Panthers in the last game they played. Washington amassed 6 mins in the box for this contest. The Capitals had a middle of the road showing in the defeat. Moreover, they had 5 chances with extra men on the ice and scored 2 goals. In the matchup, they scored on 3 out of the 32 shots they looked to score on.

Get all of our NHL Picks

While playing at even strength, the Capitals have conceded 136 goals while scoring 137 on the offensive side of the ice. Washington Capitals opponents have earned 151 power play tries (30th in professional hockey) and have scored 28 goals in those chances. With regard to their goal scoring prowess, the Washington Capitals have tallied 173 goals (16th in the league) so far this year and have given up 164. Washington has attempted 1,800 shots and is the owner of a shot percentage of 9.6%. For the season, they have scored 62 points and their points % is .544. The Capitals so far have had 1,725 shots tried against them and have a save percentage of .905. Washington has 176 power play opportunities and they have notched 36 goals during those advantages, giving them a rate of 20.45%.

The player in the crease for this game is Darcy Kuemper. The opposition has notched 790 goals versus Kuemper in his professional career and his goals against rate is 2.50. Kuemper has been involved in 336 matchups over the course of his professional hockey career. His save percentage currently sits at .917 during his 18,957 mins on the ice. He has earned a win-loss mark of 159-111-40 and he has gotten the start in 319 games. Throughout his time in hockey, Kuemper has accrued 178 quality starts and his quality starts rate is .558. Kuemper has seen 9,559 shots taken against him and has gathered 8,769 total saves.

In their last outing, Carolina went up against the Canadiens in an outing where the Hurricanes took home the win by a score of 6-2. They had 3 chances on the power play in this contest but didn't score a goal. The Hurricanes notched 6 goals out of the 41 shots on goal they pursued.

The Hurricanes are sitting with 145 goals at even strength and 36 goals (17th in professional hockey) while having more men on the ice. Carolina has tried 1,886 shots (3rd in hockey) and has accumulated a shooting percentage of 9.60%, while allowing their opponents 1,424 shots. So far this season, the Carolina Hurricanes have accumulated 181 goals, 80 points, in addition to a points percentage of .741. They have allowed 144 goals to be scored by of a combination of 110 goals at even strength and 34 goals while they were shorthanded. They have recorded 181 power play opportunities and they have accumulated a power play percentage of 19.89%. They have accumulated a penalty kill percentage of 81.52% on their opponents 184 power play tries, and their save percentage is 89.9%.

On the other side of the ice you are going to see Frederik Andersen defending the goal. His opponents are averaging 2.59 goals/game and he has surrendered 1,151 goals in total. Andersen's quality start percentage sits at 57.0% and he has made 256 quality starting assignments in his pro hockey career. He has made the start in 449 games and his ice time sits at 26,658 mins. Andersen is the owner of a lifetime record of 273-118-51 and has participated in 462 games. He has compiled 12,478 stops out of 13,629 shots attempted, which gives him a save percentage of .916.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Josh's Pick: Take Carolina (-205)

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here