The Washington Capitals and Vancouver Canucks meet Saturday in NHL action from the Rogers Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Washington Capitals vs. Vancouver Canucks prediction.
Washington Capitals Team Preview
The Washington Capitals come into this game looking to build on a 2-1 win over Seattle last time out. Dylan Strome leads the Capitals in scoring with 51 points including a team-high 22 goals and 29 assists while Alex Ovechkin has 49 points with 31 assists. John Carlson has 38 points with a team-high 33 assists while Tom Wilson has 28 points with 15 goals this season. In goal for Washington, Darcy Kuemper has gone 13-13-3 with a 3.29 GAA and an .890 save percentage while Charlie Lindgren is 16-11-5 with a 2.66 GAA and a .913 save percentage and Hunter Shepard is 2-1-1 with a 3.19 GAA and an .894 save percentage this season.
Washington Capitals Team Facts
- The underdogs have won four of the Capitals’ last five games at Rogers Arena.
- The Capitals have covered the puck line in each of their last four games at Rogers Arena.
- The Capitals have won the third period in three of their last four night games at Rogers Arena.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in five of the Capitals’ last six games at Rogers Arena.
Vancouver Canucks Team Preview
The Vancouver Canucks come into this one looking to rebound from a 4-3 OT loss to Colorado last time out. J.T. Miller leads the Canucks in scoring with 87 points including 33 goals and 54 assists while Elias Pettersson has 79 points with 31 goals and 48 assists. Quinn Hughes has 76 points with a team-high 63 assists and Brock Boeser has 65 points with a team-high 35 goals and 30 assists. Thatcher Demko’s gone 34-13-2 with a 2.47 GAA and a .917 save percentage in goal for Vancouver while Casey DeSmith is 8-4-6 with a 2.91 GAA and an .899 save percentage this season.
Vancouver Canucks Team Facts
- The Canucks have lost four of their last five games as favorites against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Canucks have failed to cover the puck line in nine of their last 10 games as favorites.
- The Canucks have lost the third period in four of their last five night games at Rogers Arena.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in seven of the Canucks’ last eight games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
Capitals vs. Canucks Prediction
I’m on the Canucks here. Vancouver’s the better team that’s been one of the NHL’s best at home as well this season. The Capitals, despite still being in the playoff race after selling pieces at the deadline, have been wildly inconsistent and haven’t looked good for the better part of this west coast road trip. I think Vancouver flexes some muscle here and gets a win at home.