Boasting an NHL-record 14 points (seven goals, seven assists) in Game 7s, Carolina Hurricanes captain Justin Williams has become known as “Mr. Game 7” for his ability to deliver in high-pressure moments. The Hurricanes will look to lean on their veteran leader when they conclude their first-round series with the Washington Capitals in D.C. tonight. Sportsbooks opened the Caps as -155 home favorites with a total of 5.5.
Hurricanes vs Capitals Game Center
Standout Stats
- Williams, who is 7-1 SU lifetime in Game 7s, saw his team come away with a 5-2 home victory in Game 6 to push the series to a seventh and final game. Carolina owns a 4-0 SU mark in Game 7s since relocating from Hartford but hasn’t advanced to the second round since the 2009 playoffs.
- On the other side, Washington improved to 5-11 SU all-time in Game 7s after topping Tampa Bay 4-0 in last year’s Eastern Conference final. The last time the Capitals faced off against the Hurricanes at home, in Game 5, they notched a 6-0 shutout at Capital One Arena.
- Home-ice advantage has been massive in this series, a trend that will greatly appeal to Capitals backers heading into Game 7. Home sides have won every game of the series so far.
- Former Vezina Trophy Sportsbook Braden Holtby owns a 3-4 record in Game 7s despite posting a 1.81 goals-against average and .934 save percentage. Washington captain Alex Ovechkin has four goals and three assists throughout his career in Game 7s.
- Hurricanes rookie Warren Foegele scored on Monday to boost his point total to eight (six goals, two assists) in his last eight games. Foegele has only one point – an assist – in his last three visits to D.C.
- Is another OVER in store in this series? Four of the six first-round contests have gone above the closing total, with Washington going OVER the 5.5 number on its own in Game 5. Only Games 3 and 4 had a total of 6, with every other tilt closing at 5.5.
My best bet for Hurricanes-Capitals
Capitals moneyline
Carolina’s season has been nothing short of impressive for a franchise that was staring down the barrel of missing the postseason for the 10th straight year, but I think it ends tonight. The trend of home teams coming through has been the biggest storyline of the series and I believe the more experienced Capitals will pull out a victory in front of their hometown fans tonight.
