The Washington Capitals and the first-year franchise Vegas Golden Knights meet at T-Mobile Arena in an East-West showdown. NBC Sports Washington will air the matchup, and the puck drops at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 23.
Washington Capitals vs. Vegas Golden Knights Odds
The Golden Knights are 22-11 straight up (SU) and have earned 15.1 units for moneyline bettors this season. Through 33 regular season matches, 21 of the team’s games have gone over the total, while 10 have gone under and just two have pushed. This season, the team is 14-3 SU at home.
Vegas has converted on 20.9 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that places them in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 22nd overall, and it’s successfully killed off 79.0 percent of all penalties.
Vegas, as a collective unit, has been penalized just 3.5 times per game overall this season, 3.2 per game over its past five outings total, and 3.0 per game over its last five at home. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays for just 6.8 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, overall.
With a .872 save percentage and 23.9 saves per game, Maxime Lagace (7-7-1) has been the best option in goal for the Golden Knights this season. If they choose to give him a rest, however, it might turn to Malcolm Subban (9-2-2 record, .922 save percentage, 2.30 goals against average).
The Knights will continue looking for offensive production via Jonathan Marchessault and James Neal. Marchessault (31 points) has tallied 12 goals and 19 assists and has recorded two or more points nine times this year. Neal has 17 goals and 10 assists to his credit and has recorded at least one point in 18 games.
Washington is 22-14 straight up (SU) and has earned 7.0 units for moneyline bettors this season. Through 36 regular season contests, 20 of its games have gone over the total, while 15 have gone under and none have pushed. Washington’s 8-9 SU as the away team this season.
Washington has converted on 19.8 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 23rd overall and it’s successfully killed off 78.6 percent of all penalties.
Washington’s skaters have been penalized 4.4 times per game in total this season, and 3.8 per game over their last five on the road. The team’s been forced to kill penalties 9.6 minutes per game over their last five road outings.
Braden Holtby (.919 save percentage and 2.64 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Washington. Holtby is averaging 28.4 saves per game and has 20 wins and seven losses to his credit.
For the visiting Capitals, the offense will be facilitated by Evgeny Kuznetsov (12 goals, 26 assists) and Alex Ovechkin (23 goals, 14 assists).
Washington Capitals vs. Vegas Golden Knights Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Golden Knights, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
Washington has managed 24.0 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Vegas is averaging 33.8 shots per game over its last five home outings.
Power plays and penalty kills could prove to be extremely important in the outcome of this one. The Capitals are 8-1 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 12-5 in games where they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Golden Knights are 10-4 when the team serves fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 14-8 in games where they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.
Washington is 2-0 in games decided by a shootout this season while Vegas is 2-2 in shootouts.
Vegas has created 16.8 takeaways per game over its last five home games, an improvement over its season average of 11.8 takeaways per game (ranked 1st in the league).
Washington has forced 5.4 takeaways per game over its last five road games, a drop-off from its season average of 6.9 takeaways per game (ranked 18th overall).
