This is a 10* play UNDER Carolina-Washington (Game 1)

The Hurricanes are obviously thrilled to be in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in a decade. They had the league's longest postseason drought, which is quite the ignominious distinction. But the Canes also probably wished they had drawn a different first round opponent. Washington not only won the Metropolitan Division for a 4th straight year, they swept Carolina in the regular season, going 4-0 in head to head meetings. Lest we forget that they are the defending Stanley Cup Champs as well. Carolina will try and push the puck and play fast here (like they always do), but we're not sure that'll work out for them. In those four regular season games against Washington, they were held to an average of 27.5 shots per game, which is well below their season average. The last three times these teams have faced off, the game went Under. Carolina scored just four goals in those three games. Capitals goalie Braden Holtby had a great regular season and posted a .947 save percentage across his last five starts. However, if there's something that can keep Carolina in this game and series, it's extraordinary depth on the blue line as well as the goaltending of Petr Mrazek, who had his own strong finish to the regular season with a .942 save percentage his last four starts. The Hurricanes were 7th in the league in goals allowed, giving up only 2.7 per game. Play UNDER Carolina-Washington

AAA