Washington avoided a fifth straight loss in a heavyweight tilt with the Wild on Tuesday and will get the suspended Kevin Shattenkirk back for a mid-week matchup with the Nashville Predators. When these teams met in the Music City last month, Filip Forsberg and the rest of the yellow caps took a 5-2 home result.
- The Predators are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games on the road against the Capitals.
- The Capitals are 16-1 SU in their last 17 games at home.
- The total has gone OVER in 15 of the Predators' last 16 games with a closing total of 5.5 or more.
Both Washington and Nashville play similar styles, handling their business out of the back before pressing forward, so I’m expecting the game tonight to be played heavily between the blue lines. The Preds offense has slowed down significantly since their 12-game OVER streak and considering how the Caps and Braden Holtby have been playing at home (1.77 goals per game differential and a .931 save percentage), it probably won’t be getting back up to speed tonight.
Speaking of Holtby, he’s been practically unbeatable since the all-star break, save a few starts this month, and owns a sparkling 11-3-1 record in his last 15 starts. Pekka Rinne, his likely counterpart tonight, has given up three or more goals in all but one of his last five starts, so with Alex Ovechkin heating back up, the Finnish tendy could be in trouble.
With the Penguins idle tonight after an embarrassing loss to the Flyers, the Caps can retake their lead in the Metropolitan Division with a point and if their 28-6-1 record at home has anything to do with this evening’s result, that outcome seems likely.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
If you're backing the visiting Nashville Predators in this one, they Predators listed earlier today as underdogs of 153 at most sportsbooks, including Sportsbook. Those over/under total betting saw the number open in the area of 5.5, depending on the book.
A 2.9-2.7 result in favor of the Predators is the prediction by the OddsShark handicapping pick engine. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NHL matchups here.
Nashville Predators vs Washington Capitals Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Nashville Predators will look to vanquish their hosts on Thursday, as they are 34-24-11 this season, while the Capitals are 45-17-7. Nashville is 38-26-5 against the total, while Washington is 31-24-14 versus the number. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Washington vs Nashville injuries news.
The NHL Power Rankings show a disparity between these teams, with the Washington Capitals rated this week at No. 2 and the Nashville Predators sitting at No. 6.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up the Washington Capitals No. 4-ranked offense (3.22 goals per game) against a Nashville Predators defense that ranks No. 17 at 2.84 goals per game allowed. The Capitals Sportsbook has clicked at a 21.33% rate while the Predators have a 80.29% rate on the penalty kill.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Nashville was a 5-4 Sportsbook in its last match at home against the Jets. They won as favorites, while the total score of 9 made Sportsbooks of OVER bettors.
Last time out for Washington, they were a 4-2 Sportsbook as they battled the Wild at home. Moneyline bettors who got the Capitals at -148 were rewarded, while the 6 combined goals moved the game OVER for totals bettors.
- Nashville is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
- Nashville is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
- The total has gone OVER in 14 of Nashville's last 17 games
- Nashville is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
- Washington is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games
- Washington is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington's last 5 games
- Washington is 11-4 ATS in its last 15 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Nashville at Carolina, Saturday, March 18th
Washington at Tampa Bay, Saturday, March 18th
