In this article we will formulate a Penguins vs Capitals prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, November 6th at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Penguins are 8-4-2 this year after they lost to Toronto by a score of 4-3 in their last game. Pittsburgh led 3-0 after two periods, but they fell apart in the third and couldn’t even get to overtime in the bad loss. The Penguins out shot Toronto by a total of 37-20, won 41.1% of the face-offs, and went 1-3 on the power play in the game. Pittsburgh got goals from Kindel (2) and Karlsson, while Jarry stopped 16 out of 20 shots, which was an .800 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Pittsburgh lost to the Jets by a score of 5-2, but did beat the Wild by a score of 4-1 before that. The Penguins have lost three of their last four games and they are currently tied for first in the Metro standings with 18 points. Pittsburgh has scored 3.50 goals per game and they have allowed 2.71 goals against per game, while also going 32.4% on the power play and 83.3% on the penalty kill this season. Evgeni Malkin has led Pittsburgh with three goals and 16 assists, while Sidney Crosby has added nine goals and eight assists. The projected starting goalie for Pittsburgh is Arturs Silovs, who is 3-2-2 with a 2.66 goals against average and a .913 save percentage this year.
Washington Capitals Betting Preview
The Washington Capitals are 7-5-1 this season after they defeated St. Louis by a score of 6-1 in their last game. Washington scored the first five goals in the game and they cruised to the easy win, but did allow a goal in the third to lose the shutout. The Capitals out shot St. Louis by a total of 32-24, won 56.5% of the face-offs, and went 1-3 on the power play in the game. Washington got goals from Beauvillier (2), Ovechkin, Wilson (2), and Carlson, while Thompson stopped 23 out of 24 shots, which was a .958 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Washington lost to the Sabres by a score of 4-3 and the Islanders by a score of 3-1. The Capitals have lost four of their last five games and they are currently tied for fourth in the Metro standings with 14 points. Washington has scored 2.58 goals per game and they have allowed 2.33 goals against per game, while also going 15.0% on the power play and 75.0% on the penalty kill this season. Tom Wilson has led Washington with eight goals and seven assists, while Dylan Strome has added three goals and eight assists. The projected starting goalie for Washington is Charlie Lindgren, who is 1-2-1 with a 3.47 goals against average and an .880 save percentage this season.
Why the Pittsburgh Penguins will win
- The Penguins have won each of their last nine Thursday home games.
- The Capitals have lost four of their last five games as favorites on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Penguins have covered the puck line in each of their last six games following a road loss.
- The Capitals have failed to cover the puck line in nine of their last 10 games as road favorites against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Capitals have lost the third period in each of their last seven games against Metropolitan Division opponents when trailing after the second period.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Penguins’ last 10 home games against Metropolitan Division opponents have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Each of the Capitals’ last seven road games against the Penguins following a win have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Four of the last five games between two teams from the Metropolitan Division have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Capitals’ last 12 night games at PPG Paints Arena.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in six of the Penguins’ last seven home games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts
- Evgeni Malkin has recorded at least one assist in eight of the Penguins’ last nine games.
- Sidney Crosby has scored a goal in five of the Penguins’ last six games as home underdogs.
- Sidney Crosby has recorded at least one point in 14 of the Penguins’ last 15 games as home underdogs.
Washington Capitals Player Prop Facts
- Dylan Strome has recorded at least one assist in each of the Capitals’ last four night games at PPG Paints Arena.
- Alex Ovechkin has scored a goal in each of the Capitals’ last four night games at PPG Paints Arena.
- Alex Ovechkin has recorded at least one point in 14 of his last 15 road appearances after playing less than 20 minutes the previous day.
Penguins vs Capitals Prediction
Washington was able to snap their losing streak with a win on Wednesday night and Ovechkin hit another milestone, but they will be on the road for the back to back here. The Capitals are 3-1-1 on the road this year, while the Penguins are 3-1-1 at home. Pittsburgh has lost three of their last four games and they have allowed nine goals in their last two. Neither team has played very well over the last week, but the Penguins have a huge rest advantage and they are scoring 3.50 goals per game. Take Pittsburgh to win here.