If it’s possible to win all but two games in a month quietly, the defending Stanley Cup champions have done so. Unfortunately for the Capitals, they’ve been unable to gain ground on the Tampa Bay Lightning, who are 13-2-1 in their past 16.
Tonight, Washington welcomes the rival Penguins in the latest instalment of Sid vs Ovi as two of the game’s biggest superstars square off on NBC Wednesday Night Hockey. Washington has gotten the best of Pittsburgh lately, eliminating the Pens from last year’s playoffs and winning the most recent meeting on November 7.
The champs opened as a -140 favorite vs Pittsburgh’s odds of +120. The total is 6.5.
- Washington is 12-2 SU in its last 14 games.
- Pittsburgh is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games on the road.
- The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Washington’s last 7 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh.
Penguins vs Capitals Game Center
Murray Expected to Start for Pittsburgh
Matt Murray returned from the IR and made his first start on Saturday, earning an overtime win over Los Angeles, making 38 saves on 41 shots. He will get a much more difficult test tonight on the road in the nation’s capital.
Murray’s career regular-season numbers against Washington are far from flattering: 5-4, 3.93 GAA and .875 save percentage. Murray allowed six goals on 36 shots in a season-opening 7-6 overtime win against Washington on October 4. Washington has scored four or more goals in six of its past seven games against Murray.
The Capitals haven’t played since beating Buffalo on Saturday, meaning Braden Holtby is the likely starter tonight. Holtby is 9-9-3 in his career vs the Penguins with a 3.00 GAA and a .910 save percentage and put up a 2.15 GAA and .921 save percentage in last year’s playoff series.
Pens Power Play Has Struggled
Pittsburgh has traditionally excelled on the power play vs Washington, scoring at nearly 30 percent over the past 10 meetings between these clubs. Recently, though, the Pens have had trouble connecting with the man advantage, operating at just 18.2 percent (4/22) in December.
It’s possible that Washington’s penalty-killing unit will be the tonic for the Pens, who have managed to score with the extra skater in each of their past two games. The Capitals’ PK is at 68.2 percent this month, tying them for 30th in the league.
Ovechkin is Scoring at a Crazy Pace
Alexander Ovechkin has scored 10 goals in his past six games and at least once in nine of his last 10 games, while his rival, Sidney Crosby, has just two goals in his last nine outings and just four assists to show for his last six games.
Ovi will be salivating at the chance to rip some pucks at a returning Matt Murray.
My Best Bet for This Game
I think Washington wins this game, but the juice on the -135 moneyline doesn’t offer a whole lot of value for bettors. There are some riskier plays if you want to live a little – Capitals in regulation at +105 or Capitals -1.5 puckline at +175.
I don’t mind either of those plus-money plays as I think there’s a couple of factors leading to a potential ATS win for Washington. The Caps are well rested with a couple of days of practice to get ready for Pittsburgh. They’ve had plenty of success against Matt Murray and Washington’s top scorers are pretty hot right now.
Pittsburgh has lost eight of its last 10 road games and has not been able to beat Braden Holtby, especially in Washington, where Holtby has won four of the last five meetings and hasn’t allowed more than three goals vs the Pens in 15 games.
