The Chicago Blackhawks and Washington Capitals meet Saturday in NHL action at the Capital One Arena. Here’s a Capitals vs Blackhawks Prediction. This article will include a Capitals vs Blackhawks Pick.
Chicago Blackhawks Betting Preview
The Chicago Blackhawks lost to the Islanders, beat the Stars, and they play the Golden Knights next. The Blackhawks have lost 8 of their last 10 games.
The Chicago Blackhawks are averaging 2.78 goals per game and are scoring 21.1 percent of their power play opportunities. Connor Bedard leads Chicago with 19 goals, Artyom Levshunov has 17 assists and Tyler Bertuzzi has 78 shots on goal. Defensively, the Chicago Blackhawks are allowing 3.18 goals per game and are killing 83.6 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Spencer Knight has given up 73 goals on 801 shots faced, and Arvid Soderblom has allowed 50 goals on 393 shots.
Washington Capitals Betting Preview
The Washington Capitals beat the Rangers, lost to the Senators, and they play the Ducks next. The Capitals have lost 8 of their last 11 games.
The Washington Capitals are averaging 3.24 goals per game and are scoring 16 percent of their power play opportunities. Tom Wilson leads Washington with 22 goals, Dylan Strome has 23 assists, and Jakob Chychrun has 140 shots on goal. Defensively, the Washington Capitals are allowing 2.78 goals per game and are killing 76.7 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Logan Thompson has given up 68 goals on 786 shots faced, and Charlie Lindgren has allowed 39 goals on 345 shots.
Why the Washington Capitals will win
- The Blackhawks have lost each of their last six road games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The Capitals have won each of their last four home games against Central Division opponents.
- The Capitals have covered the puck line in nine of their last 10 home games against the Blackhawks.
- The Blackhawks have failed to cover the puck line in eight of their last nine games at Capital One Arena.
- The home team has won the third period in each of the Capitals’ last four games.
Why the Chicago Blackhawks will win
- The Capitals have lost each of their last five Saturday games as favorites.
- The road team has won four of the Blackhawks’ last five games.
- The Capitals have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last three games against Central Division opponents.
- The Blackhawks have covered the puck line in four of their last five games as underdogs following a home win.
- The Blackhawks have won the second period in each of their last four games against Metropolitan Division opponents when tied after the first period.
Total Goals Facts
- Seven of the Capitals’ last eight home games against Central Division opponents have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Each of the Blackhawks’ last five games as underdogs following a win have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Seven of the last eight Saturday night games between teams from different divisions have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in eight of the Blackhawks’ last nine night games.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Capitals’ last seven games as favorites against Central Division opponents.
Washington Capitals Player Prop Facts
- Aliaksei Protas has scored a goal in each of the Capitals’ last five games as home favorites.
- Tom Wilson has recorded an assist in each of his last eight appearances with the Capitals as home favorites.
- Tom Wilson ranks T3rd in the league for multi-goal games (5) this season.
Chicago Blackhawks Player Prop Facts
- Shea Weber has scored a goal in each of his last three road appearances against the Capitals.
- Connor Bedard has recorded at least one assist in each of his last three appearances.
- Matt Grzelcyk has recorded 11 career assists against the Capitals – equal-most against any opponent (including playoffs).
Matchup/League Facts
- The Washington Capitals are one of four teams to rank in the top 10 for both goals scored and goals conceded per game this season.
- The Washington Capitals rank 28th in the league in power play percentage this season (15.97%).
- The Chicago Blackhawks rank T3rd in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (83.70%).
- The Chicago Blackhawks have suffered the equal-largest margin of defeat in a road game this season (6-goals @ Sabres on November, 21).
Capitals vs Blackhawks Prediction
The Blackhawks are coming off a nice win over the Stars, but if anything that creates a letdown spot for this young team. The Blackhawks have had issues stringing wins together anyway. The Capitals have been in a funk over the last couple of weeks, but they’re at home where they have 12 wins, and they’re the more trustworthy side here overall. The Capitals have won 5 of the last 6 games against the Blackhawks, and many of those meetings weren’t close. I have to side with the Caps, and I’ll lay the PL to shave down the price.