The Carolina Hurricanes will host the Washington Capitals on Monday night for Game 4 of their second-round Stanley Cup playoff series. Puck drop is set for 7:00 PM ET from Lenovo Center in Raleigh. Carolina leads the best-of-seven series 2-1 after a dominant 4-0 win on home ice in Game 3.
Washington entered the playoffs as the top team in the Metropolitan Division with a 51-22-6-3 record. Carolina was second at 47-30-2-3. The Hurricanes have won four straight home games over the Capitals, outscoring them 17-5 in that stretch. Washington must now win at least once on the road to keep their season alive.
Hurricanes Preview – Defense Leading the Charge
The Hurricanes used a strong second half to pull away in Game 3. All four goals came after the midway point of the second period. They have now held Washington to just one goal over the last two games in Raleigh.
Goaltender Frederik Andersen has been sharp throughout the series. He has stopped 64 of 66 shots and holds a .940 save percentage in the playoffs. His 1.32 goals-against average leads all qualified postseason goaltenders. Andersen missed much of the regular season due to injury but has returned at full strength.
Carolina’s blue line has limited scoring chances and kept the Capitals to the outside. Jordan Staal and Jesperi Kotkaniemi are among the depth players contributing to both ends. The Hurricanes have also covered the second period puck line in 30 of their last 47 home games, showing strong mid-game momentum at home.
Capitals Preview – Offense Needs to Step Up
Washington was blanked in Game 3 and held to just 21 shots. That came after just 14 shots in Game 1 and another 21 in Game 2. Coach Spencer Carbery says his team must respond with their best game of the season to tie the series.
Alex Ovechkin has been held without a point through three games. He had four goals in the first round and finished the regular season on a nine-game point streak. The last time Ovechkin was this quiet in the playoffs was back in early January.
In addition to Ovechkin, Dylan Strome has also been contained. The Capitals haven’t been able to generate rush chances or get to the middle of the ice. Their only win in the series came at home in Game 2 when they played a more aggressive style and found space in transition.
Capitals Preview Continued – History Not on Their Side
Washington hasn’t won a game in Carolina since December 17, 2023. That includes both regular season and playoff games. In their last four trips to Raleigh, they’ve scored just five goals total while giving up 17.
The Capitals will need more than just Ovechkin to break through. The team had 111 points in the regular season because of depth scoring and a solid defense. But right now, neither area is clicking against Carolina’s system and pressure.
Washington has hit the first period over in 53 of their last 81 games, but that trend hasn’t shown in this series. The games have been tight-checking, with little open ice. Washington may need to take more risks to create offense in Game 4.
Betting Prediction
Carolina has been the better team in this series. They’ve controlled the tempo, shut down top threats, and gotten elite goaltending from Andersen. The Hurricanes have also looked faster and more physical, especially on home ice.
Washington’s recent scoring droughts and struggles in Raleigh make this a tough spot. Unless Ovechkin breaks out in a big way, the Capitals could head home facing elimination. The total has gone under in all three games, and another low-scoring result is likely. Final score prediction is Hurricanes 3, Capitals 1.
Pick: Hurricanes -1.5 (+130)
