It was a summer of questions and speculation in D.C. after yet another early playoff exit at the hands of the Penguins, but a hot start for the Capitals and Alex Ovechkin has the hype train rolling and their matchup with the Pens on Wednesday gives them a chance to start exorcising some of their demons.
- The Capitals outshot the Penguins 229-161 in their playoff series last season.
- The visiting team is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games in this matchup.
- Braden Holtby has a career .914 save percentage against the Penguins.
By most accounts, the Penguins were vastly outplayed by the Caps in their seven-game series last season and if it weren’t for Marc-Andre Fleury, it would’ve been Washington moving on to the Eastern Conference final – not Pittsburgh. With the Flower now dominating the desert, the Caps have one less demon to worry about and can focus on Matt Murray, a netminder who owns an .862 save percentage against Washington.
Ovechkin, who has seven goals after just three games played, comes into tonight’s game on an absolute roll. A lot will be asked of the Great 8 this season after the Caps’ depth was largely diminished in the summer and so far, he’s knocking it out of the park.
It’s unreasonable to expect Ovi to shoot 38.9 percent all season but a bet on him to score against the Pens tonight could be a good idea. The Russian sniper scored three times in four regular-season games against Pittsburgh last year and he’ll probably be offered at about EVEN to bend the twine this evening.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
If you're going with the Washington Capitals in this one, they were listed as moneyline favorites of -128 on most NHL hockey betting menus (such as Sportsbook) early today for Wednesday's contest. The OVER/UNDER total was at 5.5 earlier at Sportsbook.
OddsShark computer score prediction models pick a possible 3.4-2.1 win for the Penguins on Wednesday. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NHL matchups here.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Washington Capitals Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Pittsburgh Penguins will try to spoil the party on Wednesday; they are 1-1-1 this season, while the Capitals are 2-0-1. Pittsburgh is 2-1 on the totals; Washington is 3-0. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Washington vs Pittsburgh injuries news.
The Washington Capitals sit at No. 3 in the current NHL power poll here at OddsShark, while the Pittsburgh Penguins sit at No. 16 on the same chart.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits Washington's No. 4-ranked offense, averaging 4.67 goals per game, against a Penguins defense that ranks No. 30 at 5.00 goals allowed. The Capitals power play is averaging 33.33% while the Penguins defense kills off 93.33% of their penalties.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
In their last action, Pittsburgh was a 4-0 Sportsbook at home against the Predators. Bettors on Pittsburgh at -150 on the moneyline collected their winnings from that game, while the total score (4) sent UNDER bettors home happy as well.
Washington lost its last outing, a 4-3 result against the Lightning on Monday. Bettors who backed the Lightning at -114 on the moneyline won on the day, and the total score (7) sent OVER bettors to the payout window.
- Pittsburgh is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
- Pittsburgh is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games
- Pittsburgh is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
- Washington is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
- Washington is 4-13 ATS in its last 17 games
- Washington is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington's last 6 games
Next Betting Matchups
Pittsburgh at Tampa Bay, Thursday, October 12
Washington at New Jersey, Friday, October 13
