Penguins vs. Capitals NHL Betting Odds, Picks: Washington favoured in home opener
With Alex Ovechkin’s retirement announcement this week, the Capitals and Penguins rivalry will carry extra weight this season.
Sidney Crosby and Ovi have been going head-to-head since 2005, and Wednesday night will mark their 101st meeting in the NHL. They are set to meet four times this season, but with both legends in their 40s, this could be their final meeting.
The NHL odds have the Capitals as -160 favourites at home, with the OVER/UNDER set at an even 6.0 goals. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m. EST at Capital One Arena for the Capitals’ home opener.
Penguins vs. Capitals NHL Betting Odds
Last season, the Pens and Caps only met three times; Pittsburgh opened the series with a 5-3 win, before Washington won the next two, 6-3 and 3-0. Two of the three hit the OVER.
The Penguins have gotten off to a great start, winning their first two contests before dropping their most recent game Monday night at home to the Winnipeg Jets. They scored 13 goals in their first two games combined, hitting the OVER in both of those. They opened the season covering the spread twice and averaging five goals a game so far.
With only two games under their belt, the Caps are 1-1 to open the season. Their revamped offence has scored six times, hitting the OVER and covering the spread once. Defensively, they have been solid out of the gate, allowing just two goals in each game besides one empty-netter.
Pittsburgh Penguins
After back-to-back impressive wins, the Penguins took their first L of the campaign, 3-2, versus the Winnipeg Jets on Monday night. The contest was scoreless until Ben Kindel put the Pens ahead at the midway point of the game. The Jets then scored back-to-back to take a lead; Pittsburgh brought the game back to even with a goal from Declan Carlile, but the Jets sealed the deal with another one just nine seconds later.
Rookie netminder Sergei Murashov turned aside 31 of 34 shots, taking the loss in his first start of the season. The 22-year-old Russian played five games last season, posting a 1-1-2 record, stopping 104 of 112 shots.
There are a few interesting lines for their season on the NHL futures board. After Pittsburgh put up 98 points and a second-place finish in the Metropolitan Division last year, their OVER/UNDER is set at 90.5 points this season. Taking the Penguins to make the postseason is paying out +175.
Washington Capitals
One of four teams to have only played two games to this point, it’s tough to get a read on the Caps yet this season. Adding forwards Alex Tuch, Jordan Kyrou and Boone Jenner in the offseason should add much more punch to their offence. Tuch has already proved that, scoring twice in Washington’s season-opening 5-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes.
Their first loss of the season came on Saturday in Tampa Bay as the Lightning took them down 3-1. The Capitals managed only 21 shots on goal in the game, with a goal from fourth-liner Justin Sourdif. Jenner picked up his first point in his new sweater after spending 13 seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
At 41 years old, captain Alex Ovechkin confirmed his 22nd season will indeed be his last with the Capitals. In 83 regular-season games against the Penguins, Ovi has potted 44 goals and 80 points. Take him as an anytime goal scorer on Wednesday, paying at +185.
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