Penguins vs Capitals Prediction 4/12/26 NHL Picks Today

In this article, we will formulate a Penguins vs Capitals Prediction for this NHL game on Sunday, April 12^th. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Washington Capitals Preview

The Capitals have 91 points this season with a 41-30-9 record, and are 42-38 ATS and 37-41 in over/under. They have a 24-11-5 home record and a 17-19-4 road record and are sitting 5th in the Metropolitan Division. They are coming off a 6-3 road win over the Penguins, and their previous three games were a 4-0 road win over the Maple Leafs, a 1-8 road loss to the Rangers, and a 6-2 home win over the Sabres.

Offensively, the Capitals are averaging 3.20 goals per game and are scoring 17.7% of their power play opportunities. Defensively, they are allowing 2.96 goals per game and are killing 79.8% of their opponent’s power plays.

Alex Ovechkin leads the Capitals with 62 points and 32 goals, while Dylan Strome leads the team in assists with 39. Logan Thompson is the starting goalie for the Capitals, and he has a 30-21-6 record, with 2.48 GAA and .910 SV%. Charlie Lindgren is the backup goalie and he has a 9-8-3 record, with 3.52 GAA and .879 SV%.

Pittsburgh Penguins Preview

The Penguins have 98 points this season with a 41-23-16 record, and are 48-32 ATS and 47-31 in over/under. They have a 20-13-8 home record and a 21-10-8 road record and are sitting 2nd in the Metropolitan Division. They are coming off a 3-6 home loss to the Capitals, and their previous three games were a 5-2 road win over the Devils, a 5-2 home win over the Panthers, and a 9-4 home win over the Panthers.

Offensively, the Penguins are averaging 3.56 goals per game and are scoring 24.6% of their power play opportunities. Defensively, they are allowing 3.10 goals per game and are killing 81.5% of their opponent’s power plays.

Sidney Crosby leads the Penguins with 74 points and 29 goals, while Erik Karlsson leads the team in assists with 51. Stuart Skinner is the starting goalie for the Penguins, and he has a 23-16-9 record, with 2.89 GAA and .889 SV%. Arturs Silovs is the backup goalie and he has a 19-11-8 record, with 3.04 GAA and .889 SV%.

Pittsburgh Penguins @ Washington Capitals Betting Trends: April 12, 2026

Why the Washington Capitals will win

• The Capitals have won each of their last six home games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• The Penguins have lost five of their last six road games on the second leg of a back-to-back against the Capitals.
• The favorites have covered the puck line in each of the Penguins’ last six games.
• The Penguins have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last four day games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• The favorites have won the second period in each of the last seven games between the Penguins and Capitals.

Why the Pittsburgh Penguins will win

• The Penguins have won each of their last three games as road underdogs following a loss.
• The Capitals have lost six of their last eight games as favorites on the second leg of a back-to-back.
• The Penguins have covered the puck line in each of their last 10 games as road underdogs against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• The Capitals have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last eight games as favorites on the second leg of a back-to-back.
• The Penguins have won the second period in seven of their last eight games at Capital One Arena when tied after the first period.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Penguins’ last nine road games have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Each of the last eight day games between the Penguins and Capitals have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Sixteen of the last 20 day games between teams from the same division have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Capitals’ last 11 day games at Capital One Arena.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Penguins’ last eight road games.

Washington Capitals Player Prop Facts

• Aliaksei Protas has scored a goal in five of his last six appearances with the Capitals as home favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• Pierre-Luc Dubois has recorded at least one assist in each of his last four appearances against the Penguins.
• Ilya Protas has recorded two assists against the Penguins this season – most against any opponent.

Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts

• Bryan Rust has scored at least one goal in each of the Penguins’ last four road games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• Sidney Crosby has recorded at least one assist in each of his last 10 appearances against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• Ilya Solovyov has recorded four hits against the Capitals this season – equal-most against any opponent.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Washington Capitals rank 27th in the league in power play percentage this season (17.72%).
• The Washington Capitals rank 30th in the league in short handed goals allowed this season (11).
• The Pittsburgh Penguins rank 3rd in the league for goals per game this season (3.56).
• The Pittsburgh Penguins rank T6th in the league in power play percentage this season (24.56%).

Penguins vs Capitals Prediction

Both teams are tied 1-1 in their two meetings this season and are tied 5-5 in their last 10 meetings.

In this Penguins vs Capitals Prediction, the Capitals are coming as -155 home favorites. The Penguins have clinched their playoff place while the Capitals are still fighting for a wild card spot but I will take a look at the total in this one. Both teams are a whopping 16-2 to the over in their last 18 games combined and their previous meetings this season had 8 and 9 total goals. Their last four meetings have gone over the total with 7,8, 9 and 11 total goals scored, so take the over once again in this one.