WSH vs. CAR Pick: CAR ML

Carolina raised a championship banner Tuesday, then couldn’t buy a goal. The Hurricanes killed all seven Florida power plays and came within seconds of a shootout before losing 1–0 in overtime. A rough finish, especially on a night when the goalie and penalty kill had done their jobs.

Brandon Bussi gets the net again tonight against Washington, and the forwards owe him some help. We’re backing Carolina to get its first win, taking the Hurricanes on the moneyline at -145.

Fifteen shots and six empty power plays tell you where the opener went wrong. Carolina gave itself almost no room for error. Seth Jarvis is still out, putting more of the scoring burden on Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov and Nikolaj Ehlers. That group has enough skill to make tonight a different game, but the Canes have to get more pucks through and make Washington work around its own net.

The Capitals won’t be short on answers. Alex Tuch and Jordan Kyrou give Washington more scoring punch, and Logan Thompson starts in goal. Carolina can’t afford to hand those forwards a parade of power plays or let Thompson settle into a quiet night. We expect the Hurricanes to have to earn this one.

What brings us back to Carolina is the chance to pair that defensive effort with a little more offense. Bussi gave the Canes every opportunity Tuesday. At home again, with their top forwards looking to get going, we like them to give him enough support this time.

SLS Daily Pick: Carolina Hurricanes ML (-145).