NHL Preview: Three Factors for Carolina Hurricanes to Win Against Washington Capitals
In the latest round of NHL predictions, we turn our attention to the Carolina Hurricanes as they head to the U.S. capital to face off against the Washington Capitals. This game marks the third of four meetings between these Metro Division rivals. The Capitals claimed victory in the first encounter, which went to a shootout, with Evgeny Kuznetsov scoring for the Caps (he now plays for the Hurricanes). Carolina, however, dominated the second matchup with a 6-2 win.
Washington is currently in the midst of a playoff push. Despite selling off assets at the trade deadline, including Kuznetsov to Carolina, they remain in contention for a playoff spot. The Capitals have posted a 6-4-0 record in their last ten games but are coming off a disappointing 7-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The absence of forward Tom Wilson, who received a double minor penalty for a high stick in the last game and is facing a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety, will be a significant challenge for Washington’s depth.
Meanwhile, Carolina is riding high following some exciting moves at the trade deadline. Barring any major upsets, they are likely to secure a playoff spot and finish in the top two in the Metro Division. The acquisitions of Kuznetsov and Jake Guentzel have already proven to be valuable additions. This game against the Capitals is part of a back-to-back for the Hurricanes, who played against the Philadelphia Flyers at home the previous night.
The upcoming game in the Nation’s Capital holds promise for an exciting matchup, as one team aims to maintain its form for the playoffs while the other seeks to secure a spot in the postseason. Here are three crucial factors that could lead to a Carolina Hurricanes win in this round of NHL predictions.
NHL Preview: Carolina Hurricanes against Washington Capitals
The Great Eight
There are certain players in the NHL who are always a threat whenever they’re on the ice, and Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals is definitely one of them. Widely regarded as one of the greatest goal scorers in hockey history, Ovechkin is currently in pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s all-time scoring record. While it remains to be seen if he will achieve this feat, one thing is certain: Ovechkin’s ability to score goals is unmatched.
Ovechkin is currently tied for the team lead in goals (23), assists (31), and points (54), with an impressive 11 power play goals to his name. His prowess on the power play, especially from his spot in the “Ovi’s office” area, is well-known around the league. Despite this knowledge, Ovechkin continues to find ways to score, underscoring the importance for Carolina to be vigilant and aware of him whenever he’s on the ice.
Get to the Middle
One notable trend in Washington’s losses is their tendency to allow a high number of goals against. Despite having a relatively average goals-against average of 3.10 per game, the Capitals have a significant goal differential of -31, indicating that they often concede more goals than they score. A key strategy for scoring against the Capitals is to penetrate the middle of the ice in the offensive zone.
Analysis from HockeyViz.com reveals that Washington tends to allow more shots from the blue line and top of the circles, as well as at the doorstep. However, they give up the most goals from the middle of the ice, an area where they concede the fewest chances. This suggests that Carolina should focus on attacking this central area both on the rush and in the zone on the cycle to create scoring opportunities.
Keep Up the Net Protection
Since Frederik Andersen’s return from injury, the Carolina Hurricanes’ defense has been exceptional, effectively shutting down their opponents. Both Andersen and goaltenders Pyotr Kochetkov and Spencer Martin have played phenomenally, contributing to Carolina’s strong defensive game. The team has adopted an aggressive and stifling defensive style, limiting the opposition’s space and scoring chances. When the opposition does manage to get opportunities, the Hurricanes’ goaltenders have been reliable in providing the last line of defense.
In their upcoming game, Carolina must maintain this strong defensive play. From the goalie to the top-line forwards, it’s crucial for everyone to contribute to the team’s defensive efforts. Given Washington’s struggles in scoring goals (near the bottom of the league in goals for per game), Carolina cannot afford to give them any easy opportunities. With Andersen likely starting the previous night against the Flyers, Kochetkov will likely be in goal for this game. With his impressive stats of a 2.36 goals-against average and .913 save percentage, Kochetkov has been a solid performer. However, it’s important for the entire team to continue their strong defensive play to secure a win.
Prediction Time
Similar to their previous game against the Flyers, this matchup sees the Carolina Hurricanes facing off against a Washington Capitals team that is fighting for a playoff spot. Despite selling at the trade deadline, the Capitals have been finding ways to win games. With Alexander Ovechkin leading the charge, Washington remains a formidable opponent.
For Carolina to succeed, they will need to maintain their strong defensive play and limit Ovechkin’s scoring opportunities. This game has the potential to be a highly competitive and exciting matchup between two teams with different motivations.
