By now, it’s likely you’ve heard the news – Sidney Crosby is concussed and will miss Game 4 (at least). This is a devastating blow for the Penguins and for hockey fans everywhere but what does it mean for bettors? For tonight’s game, it means the Pens will be moneyline underdogs at home in the postseason for the first time since Game 4 of last year’s playoff series with the Caps.
- The Penguins are 3-0 SU in their last 3 as an underdog but were 0-5 SU in the 5 before those.
- The Caps are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games against the Pens when Ovechkin is playing and Crosby isn’t.
- The Penguins are 6-20 SU in their last 26 games as home underdogs.
I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a team catch the injury bug this hard. Pittsburgh is now down three of its four best players so Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel will be asked to do the majority of the offensive heavy lifting if Sid is ruled out long term. When you put it that way, it doesn’t sound too bad but with Conor Sheary also likely on the injury list for Game 4, the Pens are down two-thirds of their top line that’s contributed 23 points this postseason.
That’s not good when your plan for winning a series is to simply outscore the other team. Marc-Andre Fleury has also begun to once again look human and if he doesn’t stand on his head this evening, against a team that’s outshot his 80-51 in five-on-five play so far, the Pens will be heading back to D.C. with this series tied at twos.
I’ve been on board with Washington all series long and although it’s the worst possible thing that could have happened to this best-of-seven (from a hockey standpoint), you’d be foolish to not think that the Caps are now the vastly better team.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The Washington Capitals were listed as -115 favorites on the NHL hockey moneyline earlier at Sportsbook. The over under total was set at 5.5 before betting started earlier on Wednesday at Sportsbook.
Odds Shark computer prediction formulas pick a 3.2-2.5 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.
Washington Capitals vs Pittsburgh Penguins Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
Supporters of the Washington Capitals have seen them go 60-21-10 so far this season, while the Penguins are at 56-22-12. In totals betting, the Pittsburgh Penguins are 51-34-5, while the Capitals are 40-36-15. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Pittsburgh vs Washington injuries news.
This game matches up the No. 5 (Pittsburgh Penguins) and the No. 3 (Washington Capitals) teams according to our current NHL Power Rankings.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits Pittsburgh's No. 1-ranked offense, averaging 3.49 goals per game, against a Capitals defense that ranks No. 1 at 2.3 goals allowed. The Penguins power play is averaging 23.16% while the Capitals defense kills off 84% of their penalties.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
The Capitals were a 3-2 Sportsbook in their most recent outing on the road against the Penguins. That made Sportsbooks of bettors who got Washington at -106 on the moneyline, while the total score (5) was good news for OVER bettors.
- Washington is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
- Washington is 15-6 SU in its last 21 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games
- Washington is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
- Pittsburgh is 8-1 ATS in its last 9 games
- Pittsburgh is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games
- Pittsburgh is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Washington home to Pittsburgh, Saturday, May 6th
