The Washington Capitals and the Vegas Golden Knights meet in NHL action from the T-Mobile Arena on Saturday night. Can the Caps continue their recent hot run in Sin City? Or will the Golden Knights get a much-needed win? Let’s dive in, take a look and give a Capitals Vs. Golden Knights Prediction.
Washington Capitals Team Preview
The Washington Capitals come into this game looking to build on back-to-back wins after a 5-4 win over Anaheim in their last matchup. Alex Ovechkin leads the Capitals in scoring with 14 points including 5 goals and 9 assists while Tom Wilson has 12 points with 7 goals and 5 assists. John Carlson has 13 points with a team-high 12 assists and Dylan Strome has 10 points with a team-high 8 goals for the Capitals. In goal for Washington, Darcy Kuemper has gone 5-4-2 with a 3.04 GAA and an .892 save percentage while Charlie Lindgren is 5-2 with a 2.30 GAA and a .934 save percentage and Hunter Shepard is 2-0 with a 2.50 GAA and a .915 save percentage this season.
Washington Capitals Team Facts
- The Capitals have won four of their last five games as underdogs.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in 10 of the Capitals’ last 11 games.
- The road team has won the second period in three of the Capitals’ last four games.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in seven of the Capitals’ last eight games as underdogs.
Vegas Golden Knights Team Preview
The Vegas Golden Knights come into this game looking to build on a 4-1 win over Vancouver in their last matchup. Jack Eichel leads the Golden Knights in scoring with 24 points including a team-high 15 assists while William Karlsson has 22 points with a team-high 11 goals. Mark Stone has 20 points with 14 assists and Shea Theodore has 18 points with 14 assists as well. Adin Hill has gone 10-2-2 with a 1.87 GAA and a .935 save percentage while Logan Thompson has gone 5-3-2 with a 2.47 GAA and a .917 save percentage this season.
Vegas Golden Knights Team Facts
- The Golden Knights have lost each of their last four games as favorites.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in each of the Golden Knights’ last nine games.
- The Golden Knights have lost the first period in each of their last four games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in 15 of the Golden Knights’ last 16 home games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Vegas Golden Knights ranks 2nd in the league for goals against per game this season (2.38).
- The Vegas Golden Knights ranks 6th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (86.30%).
- The Washington Capitals ranks 32nd in the league in power play percentage this season (8.47%).
- The Washington Capitals ranks 31st in the league for goals per game this season (2.45).
Capitals Vs. Golden Knights Prediction
I’m rolling with Washington +1.5 here. The Capitals are playing too well to pass on this kind of value and while I think Vegas probably should be favored at home, I just don’t know if they should be getting this much love in their current form. Washington’s defense has really stepped it up in recent games and I think it can again in another hard-fought, close game. Give me Washington +1.5.
