Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Washington Capitals Prediction, NHL Odds
Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin are both questionable for the opener of the most important series of the season. With only a point separating these two in the standings, the winner would take over top spot in the East division.
Penguins vs. Capitals 4/29/21 Betting Analysis
Washington is the -125 favourite despite the season series being 4-2 in favour of the Penguins. Three of the Penguins’ victories have come in extra time, proving just how close these teams are. Special teams are crucial when these two go head-to-head, there has been at least one power play goal in five of the six games, including last games winning goal.
The over/under is a total of 5.5 tonight and so far they have split their matchups 3-3. The Penguins have played the under four games straight and six times in their past eight, while Washington is 8-2 to the over in their past 10.
The Capitals have covered the spread in 11 of their 17 home games, as well as each of their past three games, while Pittsburgh does not fare so well against the spread on the road, with a record of 7-11.
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins lost their last outing 4-1 to the Bruins, snapping a four-game win streak and allowing the Capitals to take over first place. Jeff Carter scored the Penguins lone goal, his third since joining the team at the trade deadline eight games ago. Sidney Crosby was a minus-3 and held pointless by the Bruins for the third time this year, Sid always tends to bounce-back though going pointless in back-to-back games only twice this season.
The good news out of Pittsburgh on Wednesday was forward Evgeni Malkin getting back to practice with his team. Malkin has been out since March 16 with a lower body injury missing the team’s last 21 games.
Washington Capitals
The Capitals could get some room to breathe in the standings; a win would extend their East division lead to three points with a game in hand over Pittsburgh. Their last game, a 1-0 win over the Islanders, was their third in a row and their first shutout victory of the year. Rookie goalie Vitek Vanecek stopped 18 shots for his first career shutout, in his first game in front of the fans in Washington.
Alex Ovechkin missed the game with a lower body injury for the second game in a row. He did not practice with the team on Wednesday and it is unconfirmed whether or not he is good to go for Thursday.
PIT
WAS