A couple of teams on winning streaks, the Anaheim Ducks and the Washington Capitals meet at Capital One Arena. NBC Sports Washington will broadcast this East-West matchup, which gets going at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 2.
Anaheim Ducks vs. Washington Capitals Odds
Anaheim (+170) is playing the role of underdog to Washington (-195), and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals. If bettors want to play this game’s total, they’ll be looking at odds of -110 money on the over and -110 on the under.
The Capitals are 15-10 straight up (SU) and have netted moneyline bettors 2.9 units this season. That winning percentage, ranked fifth in the league so far in this young season, is right in line with what the team posted during last year’s regular season (49-33). Through 25 regular season matches, 13 of the team’s games have gone over the total, while 10 have gone under and just two have pushed. The team’s 8-5 SU at home this season.
Washington’s connected on 28.2 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that places them in the top-5 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 20th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 78.3 percent of all penalties.
As a team, Washington has been penalized 4.0 times per game overall this season, 3.4 per game over its last five contests total, and 3.8 per game over its last five at home. The team’s had to defend opposition power plays for just 8.4 minutes per game over its last five matchups, overall.
Averaging 28.7 saves per game with a .917 save percentage, Braden Holtby (10-8-3) has been the top option in goal for the Capitals this season. If head coach Todd Reirden decides to give him the day off, however, the team could turn to Pheonix Copley (6-3-3 record, .899 save percentage, 3.06 goals against average).
Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin will each be focal points for the Capitals. Backstrom (32 points) has tallied nine goals and 23 assists and has recorded multiple points in seven different games this year. Ovechkin has 19 goals and 12 assists to his credit and has recorded a point in 18 contests.
Anaheim has earned 0.0 units for moneyline bettors this year and is currently 13-15 straight up (SU). A total of 18 of its matches have gone under the total, while nine have gone over and just one has pushed. Anaheim’s 6-7 SU as the away team this season.
Anaheim has converted on just 15.2 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that’s ranked 30th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 13th overall and it’s successfully defended 80.0 percent of all opponent power plays.
Anaheim’s players have been penalized 4.0 times per game in total this season, and 5.2 per game over their last five road outings. The team’s had to defend opponent power plays 8.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
John Gibson (2.47 goals against average and .929 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Anaheim. Gibson is averaging 31.7 saves per game and owns a 10-12-4 record.
For the visiting Ducks, the offense will be heavily coordinated by Ryan Getzlaf (seven goals, 12 assists) and Rickard Rakell (four goals, 14 assists).
Anaheim Ducks at Washington Capitals Betting Picks
Pick: SU Winner – Capitals, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Trends
Washington is 1-1 in games that go to shootout. Anaheim is 2-2 in shootouts.
The under has hit in four of Anaheim’s last five games.
Anaheim has managed 24.8 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Washington has been attempting 30.2 shots per game over its last five home outings.
Washington has allowed just 2.3 goals per game (while scoring 4.3 per contest) over its seven-game winning streak.
Over Washington’s last ten outings, eight of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 6-2 in those games).
Anaheim skaters notched 24.2 hits per game last season, while the Caps posted 24.2 hits per contest.
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