Capitals Are Long Shots According to the Latest NHL Odds

After last night’s loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, FanDuel Sportsbook’s NHL odds have the Canes as -650 favorites to win the series after taking the first game on the road.

The Caps are priced at a juicy +460 to win the series, and that’s too good a price to pass up. Give me the Caps to win this series and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. Here’s why. 

The Caps Have the Star Power

Dylan Strome leads the Caps with nine playoff points, ranking him tied for ninth in NHL Playoff scoring. Alexander Ovechkin, the reigning NHL all-time goals king, scored only four goals during the 2025 NHL Playoffs. 

The Hurricanes have done an excellent job neutralizing Washington’s stars, keeping Strome and Ovi off the scoresheet through three games. 

Yet, I can’t see how the Canes keep Ovi quiet much longer. Carolina knows they will not win this series trading chances with this deadly Washington offense that ranked second in goals per game during the regular season. 

Ovi, Strohm, and the Caps will eventually break through despite a slow performance in Game 3.

Caps Can Compete 5-on-5

The Carolina Hurricanes were one of the best even-strength teams this season. Their 59.14% Corsi ranked first in the NHL, almost four full percentage points higher than the second-place Florida Panthers. The Canes also led the league in expected goals for with 201.45.

The big problem? Their expected even-strength goals didn’t translate to actual goals. Carolina scored 176 goals during the regular season, ranking ninth. 

The Caps ranked fifth in expected goals for (184.2), and scored more than expected (190). 

The Canes have the superior possession game, and that showed in Game 1. Carolina peppered Washington goalie Logan Thompson with 33 shots, and the Capitals also blocked another 32. 

Washington’s regular-season Corsi percentage wasn’t as strong as Carolina’s; their 50.40% ranked 12th in the NHL. Despite a lower Corsi, the Caps proved they can score at even strength consistently, unlike the Canes. 

Special Teams Will Improve

Here’s where the rattlesnake is for this series. 

The Caps have superior offensive talent, and their power play converted at a 23.5% clip during the regular season, ranking the unit 13th in the NHL. The Canes’ man advantage converted at a measly 18.7%.

The Hurricanes were the best penalty-killing team during the regular season, killing 83.6% of their penalties. And through three games, the Canes’ PK hasn’t had to do much work. They’ve put Washington on the power play only seven times through three games. 

To win this series, the Capitals’ offense has to force the Hurricanes on their heels and draw more penalties. 

Caps Series Winner NHL Odds Too Good To Pass Up

Down two games to one and playing a pivotal game four on the road, the Caps have to break the dam and score some goals. One of the NHL’s most prolific offenses has managed only four goals through three games. 

I expect the Capitals to come out swinging on Monday night to knot the series up at 2-2. Should Washington win, the series odds won’t be as juicy on Tuesday morning. Bet the Caps to win the series at +640 right now.