The Carolina Hurricanes host the Washington Capitals tonight as the series shifts to PNC Arena for Game 3.
Dylan Strome had a career year with the Caps during the regular season and has carried that momentum into the playoffs with a team-leading 10 points in seven games.
Strome has been particularly good at dishing the biscuit, and I’m looking for him to pick up another assist in Game 3 as he highlights my Capitals vs Hurricanes props and NHL picks for Saturday, May 10.
For more picks, look at our full Capitals vs. Hurricanes predictions.
Best Capitals vs Hurricanes props
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Strome o0.5 assists (+110) - Protas o0.5 points (+135)
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Walker 01.5 shots (-118)
Capitals vs Hurricanes player props for May 10
Dylan Strome Over 0.5 assists (+110 at Sports Interaction)
Much of the talk around the Washington Capitals has centered around Alex Ovechkin this year — and rightfully so, given his new title as the NHL’s greatest goal scorer. However, Ovechkin wouldn’t have had the season he did if not for his center, Dylan Strome.
The 28-year-old posted an even 82 points in 82 contests for his first point-per-game season and is already up to 10 points through just seven games this postseason.
Strome has factored into nearly half of the Capitals’ 22 goals in the playoffs, with a helper on eight of them (36%). He’s also notched an assist in five of seven games this postseason, including four of his last five.
Offense has been hard to come by in the first two games of this series, with the teams combining for just seven total goals. That places an even greater importance on the power play, where Strome has found much of his success.
He's notched four of his eight assists this postseason on the man advantage, while 25 of his 53 assists during the regular season also came on the power play.
If the Caps are going to produce any offense in Game 3, Strome will likely be at the center of it.
Aliaksei Protas Over 0.5 points (+135 at Sports Interaction)
Speaking of breakout seasons, Aliaksei Protas has emerged as another consistent scoring threat for the Capitals. The 6-foot-6 pivot notched a career-high 30 goals and 66 points this season after tallying just six goals and 29 points the year prior.
After missing nearly a month with a foot injury, Protas was held off the score sheet in his return to the lineup during Game 5 of the first round against the Canadiens.
However, the center immediately found his way back to the score sheet in the second round with points in two straight games vs. the Canes.
Protas led all Capitals skaters with 60 even-strength points in the regular season, tied for 15th in the league, and his mix of size and speed is perfect for the playoffs. Expect him to continue to play a role offensively in this series.
Sean Walker Over 1.5 shots (-118 at Sports Interaction)
If you know anything about the Carolina Hurricanes’ offensive approach, you know they love getting pucks on net. Carolina ranked second in shots per game during the regular season (31.7) and sits first among all teams in the playoffs (34.9).
A big part of that strategy involves taking shots from the blueline, and that’s exactly where Sean Walker fits in.
The defenseman has yet to register a point this postseason, but his 16 shots on net are tied for fourth most on the team, and second most by a Canes blueliner, just behind Jaccob Slavin (19).
Walker put four pucks on net in Game 2 and has recorded two or more shots in five of seven appearances this postseason. Carolina registered 33 shots in Game 1 and 28 in Game 2 vs. Washington, so that familiar high-volume style is continuing for the Canes in the second round.
Put Walker down for at least a couple more shots in Game 3.
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