Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Washington Capitals Prediction, NHL Odds
The Metropolitan Division rivals are both 7-2-1 in their past 10 games, but the Penguins trail the Capitals by eight points in the standings.
The Capitals are -187 favourites to win on the NHL odds with a total of 6.
Penguins vs. Capitals NHL Betting Odds
Washington stomped Pittsburgh 6-1 in their first meeting of the year back on November 14th. Alex Ovechkin was a passer that night, picking up a pair of helpers and spoiling Sidney Crosby’s return to the Penguins’ lineup. Tonight will be the second of four meetings between them this season.
In their previous 10 head-to-heads, the Over is 7-3 and Pittsburgh has the edge with six wins. Bettors are a 57-43 split on the Over/Under, but the Capitals are receiving 83 percent of bets on the moneyline.
The Penguins have covered the spread in back-to-back games to bring them back to a 12-13 record against the spread. They are only allowing 2.28 goals per game (third in the NHL) and that has helped them get to an even 12-12 on the Over/Under.
With a 17-9 record against the spread, the Capitals have been making bank for anyone betting on them to cover. Their past three games have all played the Under as Washington’s defence ranks top five league-wide allowing only 2.42 goals per game.
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins ended their Western Conference road trip Monday in Seattle with a crushing 6-1 win over the Kraken. Leading the way were goalie Casey DeSmith, stopping 28 of 29 shots and forward Jake Guentzel who had two goals and an assist to extend his point streak to 13 games.
Unfortunately, the Penguins top scorer will not be available to them for at least a couple of weeks, as Guentzel hit the IR on Wednesday, listed as week-to-week with an upper-body injury.
Captain Sidney Crosby has been heating up over the past few weeks, picking up 11 points in six games. He has 80 points in 61 career games versus the Capitals but was held pointless in their first meeting this year.
Washington Capitals
Defenceman John Carlson scored to tie the game, before netting the game-winner in the shootout Monday night against the Ducks. The win extended their home game point streak to seven games and improved their already impressive home record to 9-1-4.
Carlson’s goal was his 24th point of the season and his fifth point in the past five games. He sits fourth for scoring among defencemen, trailing the leader by only three points.
Alex Ovechkin picked up two assists Monday night against the Ducks making him third in the league in points at 41. In 66 career games versus the Penguins, he’s got 66 points.
PIT
WAS