The Washington Capitals and Tampa Bay Lightning will both be looking to extend their respective winning ways when they square off in a highly anticipated matchup of two of the top Stanley Cup hopefuls in the Eastern Conference. With this Saturday night showdown in the spotlight, let’s find out which team is offering the best value against their NHL odds.
Capitals vs Lightning 2019 NHL Lines, Analysis & Prediction
- When: Saturday, December 14, 2019 at 7:00 PM ET
- Where: Amelie Arena, Tampa, FL
- TV: NSWA, SunS
- Radio: Washington / Tampa Bay
- Live Stream: NHL.tv
- NHL Odds: TBA
Why Bet On Washington?
Washington has won seven of their last eight games including a hard-fought 3-2 win over Boston on Wednesday. T.J. Oshie lit the lamp twice in the second period while John Carlson added the game-winner in the final period. Alex Ovechkin and company are ranked a stellar third in scoring (3.55 gpg) while also ranking an encouraging ninth in goals allowed (2.82 gpg). Washington has gone a phenomenal 14-2-1 on the road this season.
Team Statistics
Offense- Goals: 3.64
- Shots: 31.33
- PP/PK Percentage: 23.00
- Goals: 2.88
- Shots: 31.21
- PP/PK Percentage: 14.66
Why Bet On Tampa Bay?
Tampa Bay has won two straight and four of six including their own hard-fought 3-2 win over Boston on Thursday night. Steven Stamkos scored a pair of goals while Brayden Point added another goal in the scrappy win. The Lightning are ranked a stupendous second in scoring (3.57 gpg) but Tampa Bay is also ranked an uninspiring 21s in goals allowed (3.17 gpg). The Lightning are an uninspiring 8-6-1 on their home ice.
Team Statistics
Offense- Goals: 3.60
- Shots: 32.70
- PP/PK Percentage: 29.29
- Goals: 3.60
- Shots: 32.70
- PP/PK Percentage: 29.29
NHL Betting Trends for Capitals vs Lightning
- Capitals are 7-1 SU in the last 8 games
- The total went OVER in 4 of Washington’s last 5 games against an opponent in the East conference
- Lightning are 4-2 SU in the last 6 games
- The total went OVER in 4 of Tampa Bay’s last 5 games against Washington
Capitals vs Lightning Expert Analysis and Prediction
While Tampa Bay has played well so far this season, the Lightning are mediocre at best defensively. Washington has been elite at both ends of the ice and the Caps have been absolutely dominant on the road. The Lightning are 2-5 in their last 7 games against a team with a winning percentage above .600 and a nearly winless 1-4 in their last 5 games against teams from the Metropolitan Division. On the flip side of the coin, Washington has gone 7-1 in their last 8 games as a favorite, 7-2 in their last 9 games against a team with a winning record and 5-1 in their last 6 games following a win. I’m going with future Hall of Famer Alex Ovechkin and the capitals to get it done in a high-scoring shootout.
Pick: Washington 4 Tampa Bay 3
