PPG Paints Arena will play host to a Metropolitan Division matchup as the Washington Capitals come into town to face the Pittsburgh Penguins. It’s the fourth and final time that these two clubs will meet in the regular season. NBC Sports Network will air the matchup, which gets going at 7:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 1.
Washington Capitals at Pittsburgh Penguins Odds
Washington is 46-32 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 8.3 units this season. 43 of its contests have gone over the total, while 33 have gone under and just two have pushed. The Caps are 19-20 SU on the road in 2017-18.
Washington has converted on 22.6 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that places them in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 17th out of 31 teams, and it has successfully killed off 80.2 percent of its penalties.
The Caps, as a collective unit, have been penalized 4.1 times per game overall during the 2017-18 season, and 3.4 per game over its last five outings. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays just 8.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 27.7 saves per game with a .907 save percentage, Braden Holtby (32-20-4) has been the primary option in goal for Washington this season. If it chooses to give him a rest, however, head coach Barry Trotz may turn to Philipp Grubauer (14-19-3 record, .923 save percentage, 2.33 goals against average).
The visiting Capitals have relied heavily on Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov this year. Ovechkin has 83 points on 45 goals and 38 assists, and has recorded multiple points in 23 different games. Kuznetsov has 25 goals and 52 assists to his creditand has notched at least one point in 46 games.
Pittsburgh is 45-34 straight up (SU) and has recorded -3.5 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 79 regular season contests, 45 of its games have gone over the total, while 31 have gone under and just two have pushed. It’s 29-10 SU at home this year.
The Penguins currently have the first-best power-play unit in the NHL, as they’ve scored on 26.4 percent of their extra-man opportunities this season. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 21st overall, and it’s successfully killed off 79.4 percent of all opponent power plays.
Pittsburgh players have been sent to the penalty box 3.9 times per game in total this season, and 2.8 per game over their last five contests. The team’s been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 7.0 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Matt Murray (26.2 saves per game) has been the primary selection in goal for the Penguins. Murray has 28 wins, 19 losses, and three overtime losses to his credit and has recorded a mediocre 2.89 goals against average and a fairly-weak .907 save percentage this year.
Evgeni Malkin (42 goals, 53 assists) will lead the offensive counter for the home team.
Washington Capitals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Free Picks
Prediction: SU Winner – Penguins, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
Six of Pittsburgh’s last ten outings have been decided by two or more goals. The club is 4-2 overall in those games.
Power-play chances could be even more key than usual in tonight’s game. The Capitals are 14-9 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 26-16 when they’re in the penalty box for fewer than 10 minutes, total. The Penguins are 21-11 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 28-22 when their penalty minutes are in the single digits.
Washington is 3-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Pittsburgh is 2-2 in shootouts.
The total has gone over in each of Pittsburgh’s last five games.
Pittsburgh is ranked 13th this season with 9.0 giveaways per game. That figure has regressed lately, as the team’s averaged 12.2 giveaways over its last 10 games and 10.8 giveaways over its last five.
Washington is ranked 25th this season with 10.8 giveaways per game. That figure has trended lower, however, as the team’s averaged 9.7 giveaways over its last 10 games and 9.0 giveaways over its last five.
The Pens this season have tallied the seventh-most hits in the league (23.8 per game).
xxxxx
