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Capitals vs Penguins Prediction 1/18/25 NHL Picks Today

Pittsburgh Penguins (19-20-8) vs. Washington Capitals (30-10-5)
January 18, 2025 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: Washington Capitals -218 / Pittsburgh Penguins 185; Over/Under: 6.5
(Get latest betting odds)

In this article we will formulate a Capitals vs Penguins prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, January 18th at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup. 

Washington Capitals Betting Preview

The Washington Capitals are 30-10-5 this season after they defeated Ottawa in overtime by a score of 1-0 in their last game. Washington couldn’t generate any offense in regulation, but they were able to play great defense and got the win in overtime. The Capitals out shot Ottawa by a total of 26-24, won 52.5% of the face-offs, and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. Washington got their lone goal from Ovechkin, while Thompson stopped all 24 shots that he faced in the win. 


Prior to that victory, the Capitals defeated the Ducks by a score of 3-0 and the Predators by a score of 4-1. Washington has won three games in a row and five of their last seven, and they are currently first in the Metro standings with 65 points. Washington has scored 3.56 goals per game and they have allowed 2.47 goals against per game, while also going 23.4% on the power play and 83.9% on the penalty kill this season. Dylan Strome has led Washington with 12 goals, 34 assists, and 77 shots on goal, while Aliaksei Protas has added 18 goals, 18 assists, and 79 shots on goal. Logan Thompson is 20-2-3 with a 2.13 goals against average and a .924 save percentage this year. 

Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Penguins are 19-20-8 this year after they defeated Buffalo by a score of 5-2 in their last game. Pittsburgh trailed 1-0 after the first period, but they scored the next four goals in the game to pull away for the win. The Penguins were out shot by a total of 42-19, won 55.2% of the face-offs, and went 3-4 on the power play in the game. Pittsburgh got goals from Beauvillier, Glass, Rakell, Rust, and Nedeljkovic, while Nedeljkovic also stopped 40 out of 42 shots in the win. 

Prior to that game, the Penguins lost to the Kraken by a score of 4-2 and the Lightning by a score of 5-2. Pittsburgh has lost seven of their last nine games and they are currently tied for fifth in the Metro standings with 46 points. Pittsburgh has scored 2.96 goals per game and they have allowed 3.67 goals against per game, while also going 25.6% on the power play and 79.2% on the penalty kill this season. Sidney Crosby has led Pittsburgh with 12 goals, 36 assists, and 134 shots on goal, while Rickard Rakell has added 22 goals, 16 assists, and 117 shots on goal. Joel Blomqvist is 3-5-0 with a 3.60 goals against average and a .904 save percentage this year. 

Why the Capitals will beat the Penguins

  • The Capitals have won nine of their last 10 games after coming off overtime.
  • The Capitals have covered the puck line in each of their last nine Saturday games.
  • The Capitals have won the third period in each of their last 10 games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.

Total Goals Facts

  • Each of the Capitals’ last five games have gone UNDER the total goals line.
  • The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in 16 of the Capitals’ last 18 home games against Metropolitan Division opponents.

Washington Capitals Player Prop Facts

  • Alex Ovechkin has scored at least one goal in five of his last six appearances against Metropolitan Division opponents.
  • Pierre-Luc Dubois has recorded an assist in each of the Capitals’ last four games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
  • Jakob Chychrun has recorded at least one point in each of the Capitals’ last 10 games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.

Matchup/League Facts

  • The Washington Capitals are one of only two teams in the league to rank top 5 for both goals for and goals against per game this season.
  • The Washington Capitals rank 3rd in the league for goals per game this season (3.56).
  • The Pittsburgh Penguins rank 32nd in the league for goals against per game this season (3.67).
  • The Pittsburgh Penguins rank 6th in the league in power play percentage this season (25.56%).

Capitals vs Penguins Prediction 

Washington comes into this matchup as the top team in the Metro standings and they have won three games in a row. The Capitals are 15-4-4 at home this year and they have been elite on defense this season. Washington has allowed a total of one goal in their last three games and they have allowed two regulation goals or fewer in five straight. Pittsburgh has really struggled over the last few weeks and they will be on a back to back in this game. I can’t trust this Pittsburgh offense right now, especially against a defensive team like Washington, so give me the Capitals -1.5 here. 

David Racey's Free Pick: Capitals -1.5

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David Racey

David started writing about sports in 2015, but sports has been his passion for as long as he can remember. David spends most of his free time watching pretty much anything sports related from Baseball to Tennis and everything in between. David likes to analyze statistics and recent results to form an unbiased opinion on whatever game he is breaking down. Follow David on Twitter at @itsyerboi41

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