We're puzzled at the degree to which the Caps are being discounted in this series. Washington split the season set with the Canes and enters tonight all level at 1-1 in this series, and answered the challenge on Thursday in Game 2 when controlling the action end-to-end in a 3-1 win, Tom Wilson stepping up with a big night featuring a goal, and Logan Thompson again looked very steady in goal. The Canes have been emphasizing quantity more than quality in their shots on goal and were even a bit short of the former on Thursday. The power play was also pierced for the first time in the playoffs after 17 PKs back to the Devils series. Play Caps on Money Line

These teams seem as intent on inflicting punishment on the other almost as much as scoring goals. In the first two games, a total of seven goals have been scored, one of those in an OT (by Carolina) in Game One. The Canes had also killed 17 straight penalties in the playoffs before the Caps solved them in Game 2. Carolina kept Washington hemmed in its own end in Game One, though that dynamic flipped as the Caps enjoyed the edge in Game 2. The Canes have seemed content to spray shots at Logan Thompson, hoping for action on rebounds and tips, but need to up the quality quotient if they are to achieve a real breakthrough in this series. Play Caps-Canes Under

Probably pushes but maybe we get lucky on an empty-netter. Much like Florida yesterday, I expect the Canes to win but we weren't offered Panthers -1 or I would have played it on here (and would have pushed). I can't justify Hurricanes at -200 but, again, I think they win and don't want to get bitten on an EN goal and lose Caps +1.5. I'd rather risk the push. The Canes went 31-9-1 at Lenovo Center during the regular season -- tied for the most home wins in the NHL -- and started the postseason 3-0 at home.