Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins will be looking to bring a halt to the winning ways of Alexander Ovechkin and the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals when the two teams square off at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh on Tuesday night. Now, let’s find the best NHL betting value in this intriguing affair.
Capitals vs Penguins NHL Odds & Betting Analysis
IT’S A WASHINGTON CAPITALS GAMEDAY! #ALLCAPS
The good guys take on Pittsburgh in a rivalry showdown. Puck drop 7 p.m. on @NBCSWashington and @CapitalsRadio. #CapsPens Preview: https://t.co/9eOgZPUqHl pic.twitter.com/0Rx53TG8Qn — Washington Capitals (@Capitals) 12 de marzo de 2019
- When: Tuesday March 12, 2019, 7:00 PM ET
- Where: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA
- TV: NBCSN
- Radio: Washington / Pittsburgh
- Live Stream: NHL.tv
- NHL Odds: Pittsburgh -135/Washington +115 / Total: 6.5
Why Bet On Washington?
The best reason to back Washington is because the Capitals are heating up in a big way as they get ready for playoff time. Washington has won seven straight games including an impressive 3-1 win over Winnipeg on Sunday. 31-year-old veteran Nicklas Backstrom has scored in three straight games.
“Things didn’t go our way like the first 50, 60 games but I feel like everyone is more committed now and we’re blocking shots and we’re working for each other,” Backstrom said following his team’s latest win. “I think we’re a little more aggressive, too, which sometimes makes it harder for the power play.”
Team Statistics
Offense- Goals: 3.43
- Shots: 30.17
- PP/PK Percentage: 21.78
- Goals: 3.07
- Shots: 32.01
- PP/PK Percentage: 20.35
Why Bet On Pittsburgh?
The best reason to back the Penguins is because they’ve heated up lately and are playing at home in this one. Pittsburgh has won four of their last 5 games. Including their statement-making 4-2 win over Boston on Sunday. Jared McCann scored two goals for the second time in his last seven games while goaltender Matt Murray has been playing at a high level as well.
“We’re down the stretch here, so every game is huge,” the 24-year-old Murray said after turning aside 39 shots on Sunday. “It’s basically playoff hockey from here on out, so (it) doesn’t really matter who we’re playing against. … Every game is going to be like that.”
Team Statistics
Offense- Goals: 3.43
- Shots: 32.71
- PP/PK Percentage: 24.74
- Goals: 3.04
- Shots: 33.43
- PP/PK Percentage: 19.49
Capitals vs Penguins NHL Betting Trends
- Washington is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
- Washington is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington’s last 5 games
- Pittsburgh is 4-8 ATS in its last 12 games
- Pittsburgh is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Pittsburgh’s last 5 games
Expert NHL Betting Analysis and Prediction
The Pittsburgh Penguins might be playing at home and they might be the statistically better team at both ends of the ice in this one, but I’m going with Alex Ovechkin and the Caps to get the big road upset in this affair after overcoming their well-publicized struggles against the Penguins in last season’s playoffs.
Washington has gone 5-0 in their last five games against teams from the Metropolitan division, 4-0 in their last four games against a team with a winning record and 4-1 in their last five games as an underdog. While Pittsburgh has gone 5-2 in their last 7 games as a favorite and 4-1 in their last five games against a team with a winning record, I’m still backing Washington to make a huge statement in this contest.
NHL Betting Pick: Washington 4 Pittsburgh 3
