The Carolina Hurricanes (33-15-5) visit the Washington Capitals (26-22-7) at Capital One Arena on Saturday, Jan. 31 at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN+, with both teams fresh off of a victory. The Hurricanes are coming off a 5-4 victory over the Utah Mammoth, while the Capitals knocked off the Detroit Red Wings 4-3 in a shootout in their last outing.
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Get ready for this matchup by checking out our prediction for who will come out on top in Saturday's hockey action.
Over the past 10 contests, the Capitals have gone 3-6-1 while scoring 26 goals against 35 goals conceded. On 35 power-play opportunities during that span, they have scored eight goals (22.9%).
Hurricanes vs. Capitals Predictions for Saturday
Our computer projections model for this game calls for a final tally of Capitals 4, Hurricanes 2.
- Moneyline Pick: Capitals (+117)
- Total Pick: Over 5.5 (computer predicts 6.0 goals on average)
- Spread Pick: Capitals (+1.5)
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Hurricanes Splits and Trends
- The Hurricanes have a 33-15-5 record overall, with a 9-5-14 record in matchups that have required overtime.
- Carolina is 11-2-2 (24 points) in its 15 games decided by one goal.
- In the eight games this season the Hurricanes scored only one goal, they've finished 1-7-0 (two points).
- Carolina has taken six points from the six games this season when it scored two goals (3-3-0 record).
- The Hurricanes are 29-4-5 in the 38 games when they have scored more than two goals (to register 63 points).
- In the 18 games when Carolina has recorded a lone power-play goal, it went 12-5-1 to register 25 points.
- In the 43 games this season in which it has outshot its opponent, Carolina is 30-9-4 (64 points).
- The Hurricanes' opponents have had more shots in eight games. The Hurricanes went 2-5-1 in those contests (five points).
Capitals Splits and Trends
- The Capitals have a record of 26-22-7 this season and are 4-7-11 in overtime matchups.
- In the 15 games Washington has played that were decided by one goal, it racked up 14 points.
- This season the Capitals recorded only one goal in seven games and they've earned two points (1-6-0) in those contests.
- Washington has eight points (2-6-4) when scoring two goals this season.
- The Capitals have earned 49 points in their 34 games with more than two goals scored.
- Washington has scored a single power-play goal in 19 games this season and has registered 21 points from those matchups.
- When outshooting its opponent this season, Washington is 14-9-3 (31 points).
- The Capitals have been outshot by opponents in 24 games, going 10-11-3 to register 23 points.
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Team Stats Comparison
| Hurricanes Rank | Hurricanes AVG | Capitals AVG | Capitals Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5th | 3.42 | Goals Scored | 3.16 | 16th |
| 9th | 2.85 | Goals Allowed | 2.95 | 11th |
| 2nd | 31.9 | Shots | 28.9 | 7th |
| 1st | 24.2 | Shots Allowed | 28.5 | 20th |
| 12th | 21.82% | Power Play % | 16.67% | 26th |
| 12th | 80.67% | Penalty Kill % | 78.21% | 21st |
Hurricanes vs. Capitals Game Time and TV Channel
- When: Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 5 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: ESPN+
- Live Stream: Watch this game on ESPN+
- Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo (Regional restrictions may apply)
- Where: Capital One Arena in Washington D.C.
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