Carolina Hurricanes vs Washington Capitals Prediction, 12/20/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Carolina Hurricanes vs Washington Capitals

Date: Friday, December 20, 2024

Location: Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

TV: Monumental Sports Network

Odds/Point Spread: Hurricanes (+132) Capitals (-160)

The Washington Capitals (21-8-2) will go up against the Carolina Hurricanes (20-10-1) at Capital One Arena on Friday. The moneyline on this game has the Hurricanes at +132 and the Capitals are coming in at -160. The over/under has been set at 6.5.

The Carolina Hurricanes had a good night with a 4-0 win against the Islanders their last time out. The Hurricanes had a good offensive performance and it was apparent in this win. For the game, they converted 4 of the 29 shots they put on net. Moreover, they had 2 power play opportunities and netted 1 goal. Carolina recorded 4 penalty minutes in this matchup.

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Concerning their goal scoring prowess, the Carolina Hurricanes have earned 112 goals (6th in hockey) on the campaign and have surrendered 86. For the year, they sit with 41 points and their points percentage is sitting at .661. Carolina has compiled 99 power play opportunities and they have notched 27 goals during those chances, garnering them a rate of 27.27%. When playing at even strength, the Hurricanes let the opposition score 71 goals while having 85 when they are on offense. Carolina has taken 992 shots and is the owner of a shot percentage of 11.3%. The Hurricanes so far have had 786 shots tried against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .891. Carolina Hurricanes opponents have amassed 102 power play tries (7th in the league) and have racked up 15 goals in those chances.

The player guarding the cage in this matchup is Pyotr Kochetkov. From the beginning of his pro career to now, Kochetkov has tallied 48 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .571. His save percentage is at .908 for his 3,971 mins played. Kochetkov has seen 2,189 shots taken against him and has recorded 1,988 total saves. The opposition has been able to score 201 goals versus Kochetkov in his career and his goals against rate is 3.04. He has accumulated an overall mark of 51-25-9 and he has gotten the start in 84 games. Kochetkov has taken the ice for 88 games throughout his NHL career.

The last time they were on the ice, Washington faced off against the Blackhawks in a matchup where the Capitals took the defeat by a final score of 3-2. They had 3 opportunities on the power play in this outing but weren't able to notch a goal. The Capitals had 2 goals of the 22 shots on goal they pursued.

Washington has put up 899 shots (20th in professional hockey) and has earned a shooting percentage of 13.13%, while allowing their opponents 847 shots. They have earned a penalty kill percentage of 83.84% on their oppositions 99 power play chances, and their save percentage sits at 90.2%. They have recorded 96 opportunities on the power play and they have a power play rate of 20.83%. The Capitals are sitting with 98 goals at even strength and 20 goals (13th in hockey) while on the power play. They have granted a total of 83 goals to be scored by of a combination of 67 goals at even strength and 16 goals while they were shorthanded. On the season, the Washington Capitals have notched a total of 118 goals, 44 points, and a points percentage of .710.

On the other side of the ice you are likely to see Charlie Lindgren in net. Opponents are averaging 3.16 goals per contest and he has relinquished 330 goals overall. Lindgren's quality start rate is 59.0% and he has qualified for 69 quality starting assignments in his pro career. He was named a starter in 117 contests and has played for a total of 6,268 mins. Lindgren has accrued a career mark of 62-45-12 and has played in 125 contests. He has recorded 3,239 stops out of 3,569 shots attempted, which gives him a save % of .908.

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

Parlays Pundit's Pick: Take Washington (-160) and under 6.5 goals

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