Golden Knights vs Capitals Odds & Picks: Caps Slight Home Favorites

The month of January has not been kind to the Washington Capitals (23-10-9) and Vegas Golden Knights (24-15-2), who face off Monday night at Capital One Arena. The Capitals have just three wins in nine games this month while the Knights have won just twice in seven outings in the new year. Both teams lack momentum so a Golden Knights vs Capitals prediction will rely heavily on the health of these rosters. 

Golden Knights vs Capitals Odds & Analysis

Sportsbook Odds

If you were quick enough to snap up Vegas at +215, consider yourself lucky because a Golden Knights win has decreased in value to +113. This number is expected to get closer and closer to Washington’s current value of -121 as puck drop approaches with little to separate the two sides.  

Get the best Golden Knights vs Capitals odds and lines available from our recommended sportsbooks for your favorite picks of the night. 

Golden Knights Seek Positive Start to Four-Game Road Trip

The Golden Knights face an uphill battle as road underdogs with several key players expected to miss this clash. They’ve not done well at home recently – their January skid has come entirely on home ice – so a road trip might offer them the perfect chance to turn things around.

Max Pacioretty, Alec Martinez and Nicolas Hague are all on injured reserve while Mark Stone is on the COVID-19 protocol list. Stone’s absence is a huge one for the Golden Knights as his plus/minus of +10 is one of the best on the roster.

This isn’t the first time the Golden Knights will have to cope without some star players and Jonathan Marchessault and Reilly Smith have been adept at picking up the slack when needed. Shea Theodore had a goal and two assists as the Knights shaded Montreal 4-3 in overtime in their last outing and the Golden Knights vs Capitals prediction will certainly take his recent strong play into account. 

Capitals Looking To Gain On Metropolitan Rivals

Despite Washington’s slide in January, the team has managed to stay within reach of the Metropolitan Division’s top three spots. The Capitals trail the division-leading Rangers by only three points and are just a point behind the third-place Hurricanes.

The Golden Knights vs Capitals prediction will factor in several key injuries for Washington as well, with the Capitals without T.J. Oshie, John Carlson, Nick Jensen and Anthony Mantha. The absence of Carlson, who’s been placed on the COVID-19 protocol list, is by far the biggest one for the Caps; the defenseman has 32 points in 38 games and is a solid +12. 

Alexander Ovechkin continues to put up MVP numbers and lead the Washington attack. Ovie has 29 goals and 58 points through 42 games and is tied with Leon Draisaitl and Jonathan Huberdeau atop the NHL scoring race. 

Golden Knights vs Capitals Pick & Insights

Golden Knights: Keys To Victory 

Neither of these teams has relied on stellar goaltending this season but Washington does have the edge on defense. If the Golden Knights want to walk away with two points, they’ll look to engage Washington in a high-scoring affair. Vegas has scored at least three goals in three straight games and will look to continue this streak. The Golden Knights have only five road losses on the season which influences the Golden Knights vs Capitals pick. 

Capitals: Keys To Victory 

Washington has scored 137 goals this season, tied for eighth in the league, while surrendering 117 to rank 13th in that category. The one serious flaw of this well-balanced team is its power play, which has struggled to a 14.9 percent success rate. However, the Capitals unit could exploit this opportunity against a Vegas team that has given up 25 power-play goals this season. 

Odds Shark’s Computer Golden Knights vs Capitals Prediction: Capitals -125

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