In a matchup of Eastern Conference archrivals, the Capitals will open their season against the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins. Sidney Crosby is out with a concussion so the Pens will be captainless for at least a few games. Here’s hoping this doesn’t turn into the saga that resulted in Sid the Kid missing over 100 games in the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons.
- The visiting team is 0-4 in its last 4 games in this matchup.
- The total has gone UNDER in 6 of the Penguins' last 7 games.
- The Penguins are 11-3 in their last 14 games on Thursday.
No Crosby in this game is a nightmare for the NHL. They’ve pushed the rivalry between him and Alexander Ovechkin ever since the 2004 world juniors. With Malkin moving into the No. 1 center spot, the Caps have become slight favorites and I’m not completely sure that’s fair.
Marc-Andre Fleury is expected to get the start tonight with Matt Murray nursing a broken hand and that’s a good omen for the Pens. Fleury went 2-1 with a .919 save percentage against the Caps last year and is really getting shortchanged as the Pens’ undisputed No. 1 goaltender. Pittsburgh has the definite depth advantage over Washington tonight but remember, the visiting team lost every matchup in this series last season.
The Caps will send out their workhorse, Braden Holtby, tonight in his first game in his Vezina defense season. DC’s No. 1 posted a ridiculous 48-9-7 record last season with a goals-against average of 2.20.
This is one of the better matchups of the night and the Penguins have a great shot as underdogs. Don’t even mess around with the puckline in this one – Pittsburgh moneyline is the way to go.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Betting fans looking to back the visiting Washington Capitals before puck drop in this match found them as 185 moneyline underdogs at Sportsbook. They saw an Sportsbook total of 5, according to Sportsbook.
Handicapping models based on recent betting stats and prediction formulas pick a 3.1-2.4 win for the Penguins. 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
The Washington Capitals will look to vanquish their hosts on Thursday, as they are 0-0-0 this season, while the Penguins are 0-0-0. Washington is 36-38-20 against the total, while Pittsburgh is 46-42-18 versus the number. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Pittsburgh vs Washington injuries news.
This game puts the Pittsburgh Penguins, most recently No. 1 in the Odds Shark NHL Power Rankings, up against the Washington Capitals, who rate a No. 15 in the latest survey.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Washington was a 4-3 loser in its last match on the road against the Penguins. They lost as +117 underdogs, while the total score of 7 made Sportsbooks of OVER bettors.
In their last action, Pittsburgh was a 3-1 Sportsbook on the road against the Sharks. Bettors on Pittsburgh at -109 on the moneyline collected their winnings from that game, while the total score (4) sent UNDER bettors home happy as well.
- Washington is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games
- Washington is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
- Washington is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
- Washington is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Pittsburgh
- Pittsburgh is 5-10 ATS in its last 15 games
- Pittsburgh is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Pittsburgh's last 7 games
- Pittsburgh is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Washington home to New York, Saturday, October 15th
Pittsburgh home to Anaheim, Saturday, October 15th
