The Eastern leading Washington Capitals take on the hot Tampa Bay Lightning in the nations capital tonight. If there's one thing you can be sure of when these teams meet it's offense as the OVER is 11-2 in the past 13 meetings between the Caps and Lightning.
- The Capitals are 8-1 in their last nine games hosting the Lightning.
- The UNDER is 4-1 in the Lightning’s past five games.
- The Caps are 12-3-1 at home this season.
The OVER might struggle to hit with the Capitals expected to start Braden Holtby in net. Holtby is the hottest goaltender in the NHL as he is 12-0-1 with a 1.67 goals against average and .945 save percentage in his past 13 starts. The 13-game point streak Holtby is on is the longest for a Capitals goaltender since Jose Theodore tallied a point in 17 consecutive games in 2005-06.
The Lightning will be short staffed on the ice as Ondrej Palat, Tyler Johnson and Jonathan Drouin did not practice Thursday and will not be playing Friday. Steven Stamkos has been ice-cold lately as the center has not scored a goal in his past 10 contests.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Betting fans looking to side with the Washington Capitals in this one found them earlier as -153 favorites on the NHL money line at Sportsbook. Betting the over under total instead? It was hovering near 5 at its open earlier today at Sportsbook and may have moved.
A 3-2.8 result in favor of the Capitals is the prediction by the Odds Shark handicapping pick engine. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NHL matchups here.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Washington Capitals Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Tampa Bay Lightning will look to vanquish their hosts on Friday, as they are 16-13-3 this season, while the Capitals are 22-6-2. Tampa Bay is 9-18-5 against the total, while Washington is 9-15-6 versus the number. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Washington vs Tampa Bay injuries news.
According to new NHL Power Rankings here at Odds Shark, it's the No. 2-ranked Washington Capitals and the No. 20-rated Tampa Bay Lightning in this matchup.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up the Washington Capitals No. 5-ranked offense (3.03 goals per game) against a Tampa Bay Lightning defense that ranks No. 3 at 2.28 goals per game allowed. The Capitals Sportsbook has clicked at a 23.91% rate while the Lightning have a 78.12% rate on the penalty kill.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
The Lightning were a 5-4 Sportsbook in their most recent outing on the road against the Maple Leafs. That made Sportsbooks of bettors who got Tampa Bay at -102 on the moneyline, while the total score (9) was good news for OVER bettors.
Washington won its last outing, a 2-1 result against the Senators on December 16. Bettors who backed the Capitals at -203 on the moneyline won on the day, and the total score (3) sent UNDER bettors to the payout window.
- Tampa Bay is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games
- Tampa Bay is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
- Tampa Bay is 2-9 SU in its last 11 games when playing Washington
- Washington is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games
- Washington is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
- Washington is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games when playing Tampa Bay
- The total has gone OVER in 11 of Washington's last 13 games when playing Tampa Bay
Next Betting Matchups
Tampa Bay home to Ottawa, Sunday, December 20th
Washington at New York, Sunday, December 20th
