Carolina Hurricanes Looking To Send Series Back To Washington For Game 7

The Carolina Hurricanes have proven to be a sizable thorn in the side of the defending Stanley Cup Champion Washington Capitals. The Caps did get some of their swagger back in Game 5 of the series where they ripped Carolina 6-0 at the Capital One Arena. Then again, it was almost inevitable that the Hurricanes would suffer a letdown after two emotionally charged games at home where Raleigh hockey fans made it clear when they do show up they’re capable of making a lot of noise.

Each team has enjoyed one blowout victory on home ice. Carolina got one in Game 3 when they thumped the Capitals 6-0. With the exception of those two games this series has been very closely contested. Were it not for a Lars Eller empty net goal late in Game 1 the other three games in the series would all have been decided by single goal margins. Game Two went to overtime. So far, the home team has won every game meaning that for either team to emerge victorious they have to win on enemy ice.

Big injury loss for Washington when T.J. Oshie suffered a broken collarbone in Game 4. Oshie had surgery for the injury on Saturday and is listed as being ‘out indefinitely’. The team didn’t provide any more clarity than that but media reports have indicated that he’s almost certainly gone for the playoffs. Oshie is not only a emotional leader in the locker room but a sparkplug on the ice. He’s also a very talented offensive player. The Caps are a veteran team, however, and they can likely withstand the absence of any player not named ‘Alex Ovechkin’.

Of course, the Capitals got some licks in earlier in the series when Alex Ovechkin sent rookie Andrei Svechnikov into concussion protocol after a TKO win in a Game Three. Svechnikov returned to practice in a non contact role on Saturday though his status for Game 6 is unclear. He’s listed as ‘questionable’ on the official NHL injury report as are Carolina forwards Micheal Ferland and Jordan Martinook. Ovie is one of the class guys in the NHL and reportedly called Svechnikov after the game to wish him well.

The biggest beneficiary of the surprisingly competitive series between the Canes and Caps is likely the New York Islanders who are getting some extra rest time following their first round sweep of the Pittsburgh Penguins. As far who the Islanders will be playing in the next round that likely won’t be decided until Wednesday. Given the strong play of Carolina at home in this series we look for them to send it back to Washington for Game 7 and will lay the NHL betting odds which have them as a slight favorite.

BET CAROLINA HURRICANES -113 OVER WASHINGTON CAPITALS

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