The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs delivered in spades on Tuesday night as both Carolina Hurricanes and Edmonton Oilers seized Game 1 victories in dramatically contrasting fashion. The Hurricanes suffocated the Washington Capitals with relentless pressure en route to an overtime win, while the Oilers engineered another stunning comeback against the Vegas Golden Knights to flip home-ice advantage in the West.
Bettors who followed our America Bet predictions will have smiled as some key betting tips from our preview played out just as forecasted, adding value to the high drama on the ice.
Slavin Seals It as Canes Overrun Capitals
Despite scoring first and somehow forcing overtime, the Washington Capitals were comprehensively outplayed by the Carolina Hurricanes, who stormed the rink with wave after wave of pressure. In the end, it was Jaccob Slavin’s point shot at 3:06 of OT that finally pierced through traffic and ended Washington’s resistance, sealing a 2-1 win and giving Carolina a 1-0 lead in the Eastern Conference semi-final.
Washington’s lone goal came from Aliaksei Protas, who netted early in the second period after a rare successful transition. But the real story was the shot disparity: the Hurricanes launched a staggering 94 shot attempts, including 32 on goal, compared to just 14 total shots from Washington.
Logan Thompson was heroic in net for the Caps, making 31 saves, and backed up by a brave effort from his skaters, who combined for 32 blocked shots. However, Carolina’s methodical and high-volume offensive style eventually wore them down.
The turning point came midway through the third, when Logan Stankoven finished a slick feed from Jesper Kotkaniemi, levelling the score at 1-1. The Hurricanes maintained pressure from there, and Slavin’s winner felt inevitable as the Caps clung on.
What We Got Right:
- Our match winner prediction of Carolina Hurricanes to win hit the mark.
- The game stayed tight as predicted, and our score prediction of 3-2 came close (final: 2-1 OT).
- We flagged over 28.5 saves for Thompson – a bet that paid out with ease.
- Our tip of both teams scoring in the third period landed thanks to late regulation drama.
Hyman Heroics Fuel Oilers Comeback in Vegas
Out west, the Edmonton Oilers rewrote the script yet again. Down 2-0 in the first period after a brace from Mark Stone, many expected the Golden Knights to grind their way to a Game 1 win. But not these Oilers. Zach Hyman and Connor Brown scored late third-period goals just 76 seconds apart to complete an impressive 4-2 comeback in Las Vegas.
Leon Draisaitl and Corey Perry also found the net for Edmonton, while Connor McDavid and Evan Bouchard each registered two assists. Draisaitl’s equaliser, a backhand effort from below the goal line, showcased the kind of opportunism that’s made Edmonton such a threat this postseason.
Remarkably, this was the fifth consecutive comeback win for the Oilers in these playoffs – a new NHL record. Coach Kris Knoblauch’s side showed poise and energy, outshooting Vegas 12-1 in a scoreless second period before dominating the final frame.
Vegas goalie Adin Hill did his best, stopping 24 shots, but defensive lapses and a lack of offensive rhythm doomed the Knights to their first Game 1 loss in six postseason series.
What We Got Right:
- Edmonton Oilers to win – nailed.
- Our score prediction of 4-2? Spot on.
- We tipped McDavid over 1.5 points – he delivered two assists.
Our top 10 betting tips also included both teams to score in the first period and over 6.5 total goals – both were very much in play deep into the game.
Takeaways and What’s Next
For Washington and Vegas, the message is clear: Game 2 is critical. Both teams surrendered home-ice advantage and now face rising opponents filled with belief, balance, and big-game talent.
The Hurricanes completely dismantled the Capitals’ rhythm and owned the puck for almost the entire game. Washington will need a dramatic improvement in zone entries, puck management, and special teams play if they hope to even the series.
Meanwhile, the Oilers look like a team on a mission. Five straight comeback victories suggest mental strength as well as physical dominance. McDavid and Draisaitl are thriving, and if Vegas can’t find a way to shut them down, this series may tilt quickly in Edmonton’s favour.
For punters, it was a rewarding night. Predictions on both winners came good, scorelines were largely in range, and individual performance props landed nicely – a testament to the accuracy of our pre-match insights.
As always, for detailed previews, updated odds, and expert analysis ahead of the next games, head to America Bet – your trusted source for sharp betting content.
