Washington Capitals vs. Vancouver Canucks Prediction, NHL Odds
Despite having almost identical records, these teams are trending in opposite directions. The Canucks have won five of their past six games, while Washington has lost five of their past seven.
Vancouver will be a slight -120 favourite to win on the NHL odds with the total set at 6.5.
Capitals vs. Canucks NHL Betting Odds
The Canucks visited the Capitals early in the season back on October 17 and Washington took a 6-4 victory thanks to Alex Ovechkin’s four-point performance. Ovi tucked his first two goals of the season, as the matchup played the Over for the fourth time in their past five meetings since the 2019-20 season. Washington vs Vancouver games have been high scoring and exciting over the past few seasons, with three of the last five meetings needing overtime.
Oddly, an offence featuring one of the greatest goal-scorers of all time is struggling to put the puck in the net, but that is exactly how it has been for the Caps so far this season. After 23 games their offence is averaging just 2.7 goals per game (29th in NHL) and boasts a 9-13-1 record on the Over/Under. Washington is looking to even their 11-12 record ATS after covering just twice in their past seven.
After covering the spread in five straight appearances, the Canucks streak was snapped versus San Jose Sunday night, putting them to a 13-9 record ATS on the season. Their offence has been on fire lately, scoring at least four goals in six straight games, which has helped them play the Over in four of those matchups. They are 15-7 on the Over/Under so far this season, thanks to scoring the fifth most goals in the NHL combined with allowing the third most.
Washington Capitals
Washington had their two-game win streak snapped Saturday night, when they got smoked 5-1 at the hands of the New Jersey Devils. John Carlson’s third-period power play goal was the lone marker for the Caps despite having a big number of scoring chances. Backup goalie Charlie Lindgren got the start in net, stopping 24 shots but dropping his second start in a row. He is now 2-2-2 with a 3.41 goals-against average and an .894 save percentage.
The Capitals are trying to keep their heads above water, while patiently waiting for several key players to return from injury. Defenceman Dmitry Orlov (lower-body) is expected back sooner than later, but forwards Tom Wilson, Nicklas Backstrom and Connor Brown remain as question marks.
Alex Ovechkin scored in back-to-back games before Saturday’s loss as he continues to chase the 800-goal mark. He is just nine goals shy of 800 and 11 short of Gordie Howe for second all-time.
Vancouver Canucks
After a disastrous start to the season, the Canucks have won five of their past six and are climbing their way out of the basement of the Pacific division. They are now 9-10-3 and tied with the Calgary Flames for fifth place.
Andrei Kuzmenko’s 11th goal of the season came in overtime, capping off an exciting back-and-forth game versus the San Jose Sharks on Sunday. The game extended Vancouver’s win streak to three. Elias Pettersson, Ilya Mikheyev and defenceman Kyle Burroughs also scored in the game, while Thatcher Demko stopped 32 shots in the 4-3 win.
The line of Pettersson, Mikheyev and Kuzmenko has been one the best in the league since being put together. They have played 132 minutes together so far and have been on the ice for 14 Vancouver goals and only four against. Over the past month, Pettersson has 18 points (7G, 11A) in 13 games, Mikheyev has eight (4G, 4A) and the rookie Kuzmenko has 15 (8G, 7A) in 12 games.
WAS
VAN