Washington Capitals vs. Vancouver Canucks Prediction, NHL Odds
Things have not been great lately for either the Capitals or the Canucks. Fortunately for Washington, things have been far, far worse for Vancouver. This is a great get-right spot for the Capitals, who enter this game in a bit of an extended slump.
The Canucks have traded some of their best players and are currently winless in their last 11 games. A, or potentially the top pick in this year’s entry draft, would be a nice prize for this brutal stretch. But in the moment, it is tough sledding. Vancouver beat Washington in October, but the Capitals should be licking their chops this time around.
Capitals vs. Canucks NHL Betting Odds
To no surprise, the Capitals are the favourites in this game. Washington carries -160 odds on the money line and is +145 to cover a -1.5 puck line. Vancouver is +135 and is +150 to cover +1.5 goals. The game total is 6, and the Over is slightly juiced to -115 odds while the Under carries a -105 price.
Washington’s poor form of late actually gives decent value here. Although the Capitals have not been stellar, their -165 to win outright could be much steeper, which makes their +145 to cover -1.5 a great value. Vancouver has dropped their last eight games by an average of 3.13 goals, losing to worse teams than Washington over that stretch, and they’re just 7-14 ATS at home this season.
Washington Capitals
The Capitals are still very alive in the playoff picture as we enter the end of January. However, they have just 32 games remaining, and most of the Eastern Conference teams that are also alive have anywhere from 33-35 games remaining.
Washington is 6-11-3 since mid-December, including 1-4-0 in their last five. If there is any glass half-full, it is that their last four losses have been to Nashville and San Jose, who are rolling, and Florida and Colorado, who are, well, Florida and Colorado. Vancouver is by far the worst team Washington will have played in some time. If the Caps are going to make a run, they absolutely have to win games like this one.
Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks have been the primary punching bag around the league and media for the better part of two seasons, with locker room drama, poor results, and now trading assets to begin a rebuild. Respectfully, the piling on is too easy and somewhat warranted given the mismanagement.
Vancouver has one win in their last 14 games, obviously amplified by their current 11-game losing streak. They have lost players to injury and have traded other impact players with Kiefer Sherwood being traded to San Jose last week on the heels of the big Quinn Hughes deal. Vancouver is now without their best defenceman and a top forward from opening night, with more moves expected before the NHL trade deadline.
NHL Prediction: Who Will Win Capitals vs. Canucks?
There are teams that hit bad losing streaks in which the team is not as bad as the streak indicates. The Winnipeg Jets, for example, hit an 11-game losing streak, but bounced back with a current 5-1-1 stretch. Unfortunately for the Canucks, they’re unlikely to have a similar bounceback because they actually do appear as bad as their streak indicates.
Vancouver ranks 30th and 32nd, respectively, in the NHL in goals scored and allowed per game. They are getting bullied by opponents, and now face a playoff contender that will play with added urgency. This one should be all Washington, and the Caps carry nice value to just hold the Canucks’ recent averages. Tonight sets up for a 5-2 Capitals win.
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