Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals in the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs between the Washington Capitals and the Carolina Hurricanes is set for Thursday. With Carolina holding a significant 3-1 series lead, the action returns to Washington D.C. The Capitals will heavily rely on their captain, Alex Ovechkin, often in the spotlight, to help keep their Stanley Cup hopes alive.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET at Capital One Arena. The latest odds show Carolina as the favorite at -170 on the money line, while Washington is the underdog at +142. The total goals over/under is set at 5.5. Carolina is also favored on the puck line at -1.5 (+154).
The SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates every NHL game 10,000 times, has been successful in the 2025 NHL playoffs. It boasts a combined record of 79-55 on top-rated puck-line and over/under betting picks through the second week of the conference semifinals, yielding over $1,600 in returns for $100 bettors.
Recommended Player Prop Bets for Alex Ovechkin:
- Under 3.5 shots on goal (-145)
- Over 0.5 points (-165)
- Anytime goal-scorer (+145)
Analysis of Ovechkin`s Prop Bets:
Under 3.5 Shots on Goal (-145)
While Ovechkin is known for directing pucks towards the netminder, his average in this series has been affected by being held to just one shot on goal in Game 1. Since that game, he has only surpassed the 3.5 shots mark on one occasion. The SportsLine model projects Ovechkin to record 3.2 shots on goal in this game, supporting the wager on the Under.
Over 0.5 Points (-165)
After being kept off the scoresheet for three consecutive games against Carolina, the Capitals captain registered a point by finding the back of the net in Game 4. This brings his total to four points (three goals, one assist) across five home games in these playoffs. The model indicates value in betting on Ovechkin to record at least one point.
Anytime Goal-Scorer (+145)
Alex Ovechkin has a history of performing in high-pressure situations, ranking ninth in NHL history with 13 goals scored in 29 career elimination games. In the current playoff run, he has already demonstrated his scoring prowess by netting both a game-opening goal and an overtime game-winner. This highlights his capability to score at any moment in the game, making the anytime goal-scorer bet appealing according to the model.
