Carolina Hurricanes goalie Petr Mrazek, of the Czech Republic, blocks Washington Capitals’ Nicklas Backstrom during the third period of Game 3 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series on April 15, 2019.Gerry Broome | Associated Press

NHL Playoffs: Rocked by Hurricanes, Caps look to bounce back - Dietel picks Capitals v Hurricanes, Golden Knights v Sharks, & Blues v Jets

Best Bet
Capitals over HURRICANES

Next Best Bet
Golden Knights over SHARKS

Best Over
Blues v JETS

The Skinny
It’s a big night as the Capitals look to erase all memories of their previous loss the Hurricanes earlier this week. In the last tilt, F Alex Ovechkin knocked Carolina winger F Andrei Svechnikov out with a punch to the melon. Carolina will be without the #2 overall pick from last years draft in this upcoming tilt and his scoring prowess will surely be missed. The Caps should take this one and go up 3-1 as they head home to seal the deal on Saturday… Vegas has been on fire and will look to end the Sharks season earlier than most expected back in October. Their most recent victory a shutout, look for the Golden Knights to ramp it up even more and not give San Jose any breathing room tonight, they’ve got them right where they want them. . . . Lastly, we like the high scoring possibilities in the Blues v Jets tilt. They crushed the over in their last two matchups so third time must be the charm, right?

NHL