In this article we will formulate a Penguins vs Capitals prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, February 22nd 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 23-25-9 this year after they lost to Philadelphia by a score of 3-2 in their last game. Pittsburgh tied the game at one in the second period, but they allowed the next two goals and came up just short in the third for the loss. The Penguins outshot Philadelphia by a total of 33-20, won 40% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Pittsburgh got goals from Beauvillier and Karlsson, while Blomqvist stopped 17 out of 20 shots in the game.
Prior to that loss, the Penguins defeated the Rangers by a score of 3-2 but did lose to the Devils by a score of 3-2 before that. Pittsburgh has lost five of their last eight games and they are currently tied for last in the Metro standings with 55 points. Pittsburgh has scored 2.86 goals per game and they have allowed 3.44 goals against per game, while also averaging 24.8% on the power play and 79.6% on the penalty kill this season. Sidney Crosby has led Pittsburgh with 17 goals, 41 assists, and 156 shots on goal, while Rickard Rakell has added 25 goals, 23 assists, and 146 shots on goal. Alex Nedeljkovic is 12-9-5 with a 2.93 goals-against average and a .900 save percentage this year.
Washington Capitals Betting Preview
The Washington Capitals are 36-11-8 this season after they lost to Utah in a shootout by a score of 5-4 in their last game. Washington trailed 4-2 after the second period, but they tied the game at four late in the third, before losing in the shootout. The Capitals outshot Utah by a total of 42-27, won 58.6% of the face-offs, and went 2-2 on the power play in the game. Washington got goals from Dubois, Strome, and Wilson (2), while Thompson stopped 23 out of 27 shots in the loss.
Prior to that game, the Capitals defeated the Flyers by a score of 5-4 and the Panthers by a score of 6-3. Washington has lost three of their last five games and they are currently first in the Metro standings with 80 points. Washington has scored 3.56 goals per game and they have allowed 2.49 goals against per game, while also going 23.2% on the power play and 82.6% on the penalty kill this season. Dylan Strome has led Washington with 16 goals, 38 assists, and 99 shots on goal, while Aliaksei Protas has added 22 goals, 24 assists, and 99 shots on goal. Logan Thompson is 24-2-5 with a 2.23 goals against average and a .921 save percentage this year.
Why the Penguins will beat the Capitals
- The underdogs have won five of the Capitals’ last six games at PPG Paints Arena.
- The Capitals have lost eight of their last 10 games as road favorites following a shootout win.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in each of the Penguins’ last six games.
- The Capitals have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last five games as road favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The Capitals have lost the third period in five of their last six road games after coming off a shootout.
Why the Capitals will beat the Penguins
- The Capitals have won each of their last seven games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The Penguins have lost seven of their last eight day games.
- The Capitals have covered the puck line in each of their last 10 Saturday day games.
- The Penguins have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last eight day games at PPG Paints Arena following a road loss.
- The Capitals have won the third period in each of their last 12 games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Penguins’ last seven games has gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Each of the Capitals’ last five games has gone OVER the total goals line.
- Eight of the last 10 day games between teams from the same division have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 2.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Capitals’ last four day games at PPG Paints Arena.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Penguins’ last six day games.
Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts
- Sidney Crosby has scored a goal in four of his last five appearances.
- Sidney Crosby has recorded at least one assist in nine of the Penguins’ last 10 home games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Rickard Rakell has recorded at least one point in each of his last nine appearances with the Penguins as underdogs.
- Rickard Rakell has the equal-most multi-goal games for the Penguins this season (3).
Washington Capitals Player Prop Facts
- Jakob Chychrun has recorded at least one assist in each of the Capitals’ last six games as road favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Jakob Chychrun has recorded at least one point in each of the Capitals’ last 12 games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Alex Ovechkin has scored a goal in each of the Capitals’ last four games at PPG Paints Arena.
- Tom Wilson has recorded two assists against the Penguins this season – equal-most against any opponent.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pittsburgh Penguins rank 31st in the league for goals against per game this season (3.44).
- The Pittsburgh Penguins rank 7th in the league in power play percentage this season (24.84%).
- The Washington Capitals rank T2nd in the league for goals per game this season (3.56).
- 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.
Penguins vs Capitals Prediction
Washington comes into this matchup as one of the top teams in the NHL so far this season, but they have allowed five goals in three of their last five games. The Capitals are 19-7-2 on the road this year, while the Penguins are 13-10-4 at home. Pittsburgh has been inconsistent so far this year and they are one of the bottom teams in the Metro standings. The Penguins are allowing nearly 3.50 goals against per game on defense and they have scored three goals or fewer in eight straight games. This Washington defense/goaltending has been amazing and I can’t count on Pittsburgh to score many goals in this one, so I will take the under in this contest.