For the first time ever, the Hurricanes are playing AND hosting an outdoor Stadium Series matchup. Carolina will host Washington at the Carter-Finley Stadium on the campus of North Carolina State. The matchup is Saturday, February 18 and we have expert betting advice on the 2023 Stadium Series game right here. Keep reading to get our two best bets — all for free.
Carolina vs. Washington Preview
We’ll get to betting picks shortly, but first, we have to preview Carolina vs. Washington from a macro level. Both teams compete in the Metropolitan Division, which is led by the Canes currently. Carolina’s 78 points this season are second-most in the league, behind only Boston. With 62 points, the Capitals are just trying to squeeze into a wildcard playoff spot. Getting at least one point here is critical to its playoff hopes in a crowded Eastern Conference.
This will mark the two team’s third meeting this 2022-23 season. Each of the prior two games ended with the same score: 3-2, both wins by the Hurricanes. Matter of fact, one of those games was days ago on Valentine’s Day. An equalizing goal by Washington was reversed in the third period, allowing Carolina to escape with a 3-2 victory on the road.
Though, the Capitals leading man, Alex Ovechkin, did not play that game. His father passed away this week and he is out indefinitely. That means Ovechkin will not be on the ice come Stadium Series. Obviously, that’s a tough loss for Washington as Ovechkin has a team-high 32 goals and 54 assists this year.
Best Bets For 2023 NHL Stadium Series
A game this special demands more than just one bet. After scouring the Stadium Series bet list, we’ve settled on the two wagers below. Parlay them together if you’re feeling extra risky.
Over/Under Goals
Our immediate attention goes to Carolina goaltender Frederik Andersen. Goaltenders are always X-factors, but Anderson is more so now given his hot streak as of late. Since returning from injury, he’s collected wins in seven of eight games. Against Washington days ago, he stopped 34-of-36 shots. It’s a needed reminder that he’s still the man for the job, despite the Canes stringing an 11-game winning streak while he was injured earlier this season.
Our money says that Anderson stops Washington for a second time this week. Not having to face Ovechkin again certainly helps. But despite that, we’re still betting the over. That’s because we expect a huge effort from Carolina’s offense. A sold-out crowd of over 50,000 has a special way of bringing out the best in players!
Moneyline
This Stadium Series game comes at the worst possible time for Washington. Ovechkin isn’t the only key piece out of the Caps’ lineup. No. 1 defenseman John Carlson is also out. Fourth-line center Nic Dowd is likely in the same boat. Sure, top winger Tom Wilson has recently rejoined the team in practice, but it’ll take time for him to get back in game shape — and that’s if he even gets activated for Saturday.
As you can guess, our money is squarely on Carolina to win. Honestly, we even contemplated betting the spread to really juice this payout. We’re keeping it safe and taking the moneyline only, but it’s an option worth pondering. Ultimately, the Hurricanes are a Stanley Cup favorite at top NHL betting sites for a reason — this team can play. Going against an injury-depleted Caps side also helps greatly.
How To Watch 2023 NHL Stadium Series?
Dare we say the Stadium Series is must-watch TV? Yeah, we will. The outdoor ambiance really is something to behold. Thankfully, you can easily watch the 2023 Stadium Series game this Saturday. It will be live-aired on the ABC network. Coverage starts at 8 pm EST sharp.
If you’re one of the many that’ve cut the cord, you can also stream the Stadium Series game. ESPN+ will have the stream available at the same time as the ABC feed.
How To Bet On 2023 NHL Stadium Series?
The Stadium Series game is almost upon us so you want to lock in wagers sooner that bet than later. To place any and all Stadium Series bets, we recommend one of the following bookmakers. These are the “cream of the crop” as indicated in our up-to-date sportsbook reviews.
Check out the table below to get fast-tracked into betting the NHL — not only for Saturday’s game but the rest of the season while you’re at it. Signing up to use a sportsbook is quite easy and fast. You could go from reading this sentence to betting within minutes. Hit one of the “play now” buttons on the table to get started.
About the Author
Eric is uniquely suited to be a writer for SBS. For one, he's a journalist by trade. Eric spent a large part of his career, covering sports — high school, college, and professional — for newspapers and online-based sites. However, Eric is a bettor himself too. He has first-hand experience hanging out in smoky sportsbooks and casinos, dealing with the ebbs and flows of gambling, and an understanding of how bookies operate. Both these unique qualities make him an expert bet picker for SBS. You'll also see Eric report on the sports betting industry as a whole.
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