Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin are forever linked, but after more than a decade in the NHL it has been Sid the Kid and the Pittsburgh Penguins who have the upper hand. The Penguins are 22-12 in the 34 games against the Caps with both Crosby and Ovie in their respective lineups.
- The Penguins will be without Kris Letang as he is expected to miss two weeks with a lower body injury.
- The Capitals are 3-10 in their last 13 against the Penguins.
- The Penguins are 0-9 in their last nine games as home underdogs.
Both Crosby and Ovechkin has revelled in the spotlight of their big games against one another as Sid has scored 18 goals and 33 assists while Ovie has 22 goals and 16 assists in games against one another.
This will be the first game behind the bench for Mike Sullivan after the Penguins fired coach Mike Johnston as the team is just 15-10-3 so far this season. Sullivan led Pittsburgh AHL affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to a league leading 18-5-0-0 record.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
If you're going with the Pittsburgh Penguins in this one, they were listed as moneyline underdogs of 105 on most NHL hockey betting menus (such as Sportsbook) early today for Monday's contest. The over-under total was at 5 earlier at Sportsbook.
Odds Shark computer prediction handicapping models run on this game pick a 2.8-2.7 victory for the Penguins. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NHL matchups here.
Washington Capitals vs Pittsburgh Penguins Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
15-10-3 Pittsburgh battles the Capitals, currently with a 20-6-2 mark. The OVER/UNDER records, important for totals bettors, are 9-15-4 for the Penguins and 9-14-5 for the Capitals. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Pittsburgh vs Washington injuries news.
This game matches up the No. 17 (Pittsburgh Penguins) and the No. 5 (Washington Capitals) teams according to our current NHL Power Rankings.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up the Pittsburgh Penguins No. 25-ranked offense (2.39 goals per game) against a Washington Capitals defense that ranks No. 2 at 2.21 goals per game allowed. The Penguins Sportsbook has clicked at a 15.96% rate while the Capitals have a 83.54% rate on the penalty kill.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Last time out for Washington, they were a 2-1 Sportsbook as they battled the Lightning on the road. Moneyline bettors who got the Capitals at -107 were rewarded, while the 3 combined goals moved the game UNDER for totals bettors.
The Penguins were a 3-2 loser in their most recent outing at home against the Kings. That made Sportsbooks of bettors who got Los Angeles at -111 on the moneyline, while the total score (5) was good news for OVER bettors.
- Washington is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games
- Washington is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games on the road
- Washington is 3-10 SU in its last 13 games when playing Pittsburgh
- The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Washington's last 7 games when playing Pittsburgh
- Pittsburgh is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
- Pittsburgh is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games when playing Washington
- The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Pittsburgh's last 7 games when playing Washington
- Pittsburgh is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Washington
Next Betting Matchups
Washington home to Ottawa, Wednesday, December 16th
Pittsburgh at Boston, Wednesday, December 16th
