Capital One Arena will be the site for a cross-country tilt as the Anaheim Ducks travel across the country to take on the Washington Capitals. The first puck will drop at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 16, and fans at home can view the game live on NBC Sports Washington.
Anaheim Ducks at Washington Capitals Odds
Washington (-150) is currently favored over Anaheim (+130), and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals. The odds for betting the total stand at -120 for the under and +100 for the over.
Washington is 20-13 straight up (SU) and has earned 5.0 units for moneyline bettors this year. That winning percentage, ranked 2nd in the Metropolitan Division in this young season, is a regression from the 55-27 record that the team posted during the 2016-17 season campaign. Through 33 regular season outings, 19 of the team’s games have gone over the total, while 14 have gone under and none have pushed. The team’s 13-5 SU at home this season.
The Capitals have converted on 20.8 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that’s good enough for seventh-best in the NHL. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated 22nd overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 79.8 percent of all penalties.
The Capitals, as a collective unit, have been called for penalties 4.5 times per game overall this season, and 3.6 per game over their last ten games. The team has had to kill penalties for 8.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings, overall.
Averaging 28.2 saves per game with a .918 save percentage, Braden Holtby (18 wins, seven losses) has been the best option in goal for Washington this season. If the Caps choose to give him the evening off, however, head coach Barry Trotz might turn to Philipp Grubauer (2-9-9 record, .899 save percentage, 3.01 goals against average).
The Caps will continue to look for leadership from Evgeny Kuznetsov and Alex Ovechkin. Kuznetsov (35 points) has put up 10 goals and 25 assists and has recorded two or more points in nine different games this year. Ovechkin has 22 goals and 13 assists to his name and has notched a point in 19 contests.
On the other side of the ice, Anaheim is 14-18 straight up (SU) and has lost 2.5 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 32 regular season contests, 20 of its games have gone under the total, while 11 have gone over and just one has pushed. As an away team, the Ducks are 6-8 SU so far.
The Ducks have converted on just 17.2 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that places them in the bottom-10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked fourth overall and it’s successfully killed off 83.7 percent of all opponent power plays.
Anaheim’s skaters have been called for penalties 4.9 times per game this season, and 3.6 per game over their last five contests. The team has had to defend opponent power plays just 8.2 minutes per game over their last five outings.
John Gibson (31.3 saves per game) has been the primary option in the net for Anaheim. Gibson has 10 wins, 15 losses, and four overtime losses to his credit, while registering a .922 save percentage and 2.83 goals against average this year.
For the visiting Ducks, the offense will be facilitated through Corey Perry (six goals, 16 assists) and Rickard Rakell (eight goals, 12 assists).
Anaheim Ducks vs. Washington Capitals Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Capitals, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Trends
Three of Anaheim’s last ten games have been decided by a shootout. The team is 0-3 in those games and 2-4 overall in shootouts this season.
The total has gone over in four of Washington’s last five games.
Nine of Washington’s last ten games have been decided by two or more goals. The club is 7-2 overall in those games.
Anaheim skaters have given out the league’s sixth-most hits per game (23.6), but the team’s recorded just 17.6 hits over their last five away games.
