posted April 1, 2008 at 16:27 EST in NHL Free Picks

The Washington Capitals (40-31-8) will try to move into a tie atop the Southeast Division when they play host to the front running Carolina Hurricanes (42-31-6) at 7:00pm EST and we have your winning information and selection lurking.

The Caps and Hurricanes each have three games remaining, but this will be their final regular-season meeting. Carolina holds a 4-2-1 series lead.

With NHL-bests of 62 goals and 109 points, Alex Ovechkin’s contributions to the Capitals can’t be under minded by the NHL betting enthusiasts as his club attempts to reach the postseason for the first time in five years.

Washington is coming off a money-making 5-1-0 road trip. In their final road game of the season, the Caps got a goal and assist from Ovechkin and 32 saves from Cristobal Huet in a 3-0 win over Florida on Sunday.

- Capitals are 9-24 in their last 33 games playing on 2 days rest.

- Capitals are 6-1 in their last 7 games following a win.

- Capitals are 4-1 in their last 5 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.

Ovechkin had five goals and five assists during the road swing. The league’s top scorer has six goals and four assists versus Carolina this campaign.

Huet has been rock-solid between the pipes for the Caps. He’s won six straight starts and is 8-2-0 with a 1.83 GAA and two shutouts since joining the team. Huet stopped 25 shots en route to a 3-2 win over Carolina last Tuesday.

Washington will be searching for its fourth straight home victory in tonight's game.

- Capitals are 6-0 in their last 6 vs. Eastern Conference.

- Capitals are 5-0 in their last 5 vs. Southeast.

- Capitals are 6-2 in their last 8 vs. a team with a winning record.

- Capitals are 4-1 in their last 5 home games.

Carolina is trying to collect its second division title in three seasons. The Hurricanes blew a chance to increase their division lead over the Caps with a 2-1 loss at Tampa Bay on Saturday.

- Hurricanes are 5-0 in their last 5 games playing on 2 days rest.

- Hurricanes are 5-0 in their last 5 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.

Net keeper Cam Ward stopped 19 shots in the defeat for Carolina, which lost for just the fourth time in 16 games. Ward is a sharp 4-0 in five career appearances against Washington with a 1.77 GAA.

Eric Staal leads Carolina with 36 goals and 43 assists, but hasn’t been at his tops away from home recently and in Washington. He has just four goals and four assists as the Hurricanes have gone 6-6-0 in their last 12 on the road.

Staal hasn’t recorded a point in three games at the Verizon Center this season, and has only two goals and six assists in 14 games there.

- Hurricanes are 10-4 in their last 14 vs. Eastern Conference.

- Hurricanes are 10-2 in their last 12 vs. Southeast.

- Hurricanes are 5-1 in their last 6 vs. a team with a winning record.

- Hurricanes are 12-4 in their last 16 overall.

BetUS NHL odds list Washington the -150 money-line favorites and -1½ +190 on the spread with a game total of 6 over -110.

Analysis: The Caps have 88 points, two fewer than the Hurricanes, and they start play ninth in the conference as the bubble team in the East. That makes this a virtual must win game for Washington. They are a strong 20-15-3 at home. Huet is on top of his game and should be able to shutdown Carolina in this one.

NHL Free Picks: Washington Capitals -150

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