Washington Capitals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction, NHL Odds
Both these teams are desperate for wins to revive their fading playoff hopes. The penguins can help their own cause with a fourth straight victory on home ice after topping the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets 5-3 on Tuesday night while the Capitals looks to rebound from Sunday’s 5-2 loss to Arizona while snapping a two-game losing streak on the road.
The Penguins are set to hit the ice as -165 home favourites on the Thursday NHL odds and are pegged as a +140 bet on the NHL puck line to claim victory by a multi-goal margin. The Capitals trail as +140 underdogs, while -120 odds favour the total going OVER 6.0.
Capitals vs. Penguins NHL Betting Odds
The Capitals looked poised to return to the Eastern Conference wild card race while closing out February on an encouraging 5-1-2 run, but have surrendered five goals per game while losing two of their past three, and remain stalled seven points back of Tampa Bay in the battle for the second wild card, albeit with three games in hand. The Penguins snapped a three-game slide with Tuesday’s win over the Blue Jackets, and have now picked up at least a point in nine of their past 10 home contests. However, Pittsburgh’s continued streaky play leaves them one point back of the Caps, whom they have beaten just once in five home matchups.
Washington Capitals
Alex Ovechkin has shown signs of snapping out of a recent funk by record a point in each of his past three games. However, goals have continued to come at a premium for Ovie, who has scored just once in his past six outings after potting eight markers in his previous eight games. Ovechkin has enjoyed steady success in recent dates with the Penguins, scoring in four of six meeting including each of the past three dates in Pittsburgh offers value as a +145 wager on the NHL player props to extend that streak with at least one goal on Thursday night. Darcy Kuemper is expected to make his first start in net since losing the starter’s job to Charlie Lindgren in late February. Kuemper earned wins in each of his past two starts but surrendered three goals on just 21 shots in his last outing, a 6-3 win over Ottawa on February 26.
Pittsburgh Penguins
While he has remained a consistent force on both sides of the puck all season long for this faltering Pens squad, Sidney Crosby has also struggled offensively of late. Crosby has failed to score and has produced just three points over his past five games. However, he has played a big role in this team’s recent home success, potting six goals and seven assists over his past 11 home appearances, and should not be ignored as a +140 bet on the NHL player props to bust out and record OVER 1.5 points on Thursday. With the NHL Trade Deadline looming, Jake Guentzel’s future in Pittsburgh remain uncertain. However, being spotted at Thursday’s morning skate sporting a normal jersey, he is expected to be in the lineup against the Caps, aiming to extend his current home points streak to five games.
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