Alex Ovechkin, no stranger to the spotlight, will be a key figure as the Washington Capitals face the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 5 of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs Eastern Conference semifinals on Thursday. With Carolina holding a strong 3-1 series advantage as the action shifts back to Washington D.C., the Capitals will look to `The Great Eight` to help keep their playoff hopes alive.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET at Capital One Arena in Washington D.C. Carolina is listed as a -170 favorite on the money line, while Washington is a +142 underdog. The over/under for total goals is set at 5.5, and the Hurricanes are also -1.5 (+154) on the puck line.
The SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates every NHL game 10,000 times, has been successful in the 2025 NHL playoffs. It enters the second week of the conference semifinals with a combined 79-55 record on top-rated NHL puck-line and over/under betting picks.
Recommended Prop Bets for Alex Ovechkin:
- Under 3.5 shots on goal (-145)
- Over 0.5 points (-165)
- Anytime goal-scorer (+145)
Regarding shots on goal, Ovechkin has frequently shot at Carolina netminder Frederik Andersen, though his average was lowered by a single-shot performance in Game 1. Since then, he has only exceeded 3.5 shots on goal once in the series. The projection model forecasts Ovechkin to hit 3.2 SOG in Game 5, supporting the Under pick.
For points, the Capitals captain was held without a point for three consecutive games against Carolina before scoring again in Game 4. This brings his playoff total to four points (three goals, one assist) in five home games so far. The projection model suggests he is likely to register at least one point in Game 5.
As an anytime goal-scorer, Ovechkin ranks ninth in NHL history with 13 playoff goals scored in 29 career elimination games. He has demonstrated his ability to score at crucial moments in these playoffs, including a game-opening goal and an overtime game-winner. The model identifies value in betting on him to score at any time during the game.
The picks for Alex Ovechkin outlined above are based on the analysis from the SportsLine Projection Model, which has a proven track record in the 2025 NHL playoffs.
Elton Marrow