The Carolina Hurricanes are aiming to establish a dominant lead in their series against the Washington Capitals as they prepare to host Game 4 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs conference semifinals on Monday. Rod Brind`Amour`s squad currently holds a 2-1 advantage in the series, following a decisive 4-0 shutout victory over the Capitals in Game 3. The puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Ahead of Game 4, Carolina is listed as a significant favorite on the money line at -267, meaning a $267 wager would win $100. The Washington Capitals are the underdogs at +217 (a $100 wager wins $217). The projected total for combined goals in the game is set at 5.5. Additionally, the Hurricanes are favored on the puck line at -1.5, with odds of +102. Analysis and predictions for the game are available from a respected sports projection model.
This sports projection model rigorously simulates every NHL game 10,000 times. It has demonstrated notable success throughout the 2025 NHL playoffs, particularly with top-rated picks on the puck line and over/under totals. The model`s performance has resulted in positive returns for those following its recommendations.
Game 4 Picks and Predictions
Capitals +1.5 (-123)
Game 3`s shutout loss was an infrequent occurrence for the Capitals this season, marking only the fourth time they`ve been held scoreless. The model suggests Washington is likely to keep Game 4 competitive. The Capitals have shown a capacity for bouncing back; they secured a 5-2 victory in Game 4 of their first-round series in Montreal and also defeated Carolina 3-1 in Game 2 of the current series after losing Game 1, doing so as betting underdogs. The projection model calculates a high probability, exceeding 70%, that the Capitals will successfully cover the +1.5 puck line.
Logan Thompson Over 27.5 Shots Faced (-105)
Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson has faced a heavy workload during this postseason run. The Carolina Hurricanes are known for their high-paced offense, which consistently directs a high volume of shots towards the net. Thompson has faced 28 or more shots in seven out of his eight starts in these playoffs, indicating a trend of high shot volume that is unlikely to decrease in Monday`s game.
Alex Ovechkin 4+ Shots on Goal (+115)
Alex Ovechkin, `The Great 8`, has been unable to find the back of the net in this series so far. However, this is not due to a lack of effort in generating offense. Ovechkin continues to actively shoot the puck, having registered four or more shots on goal in three of his last five games. His consistent shooting volume suggests he is likely to attempt four or more shots again in Game 4.
