The Washington Capitals  will be looking to get back on track when they host a Detroit Red Wings club that will be playing carefree hockey as they own the worst record in the NHL and have nothing left to play for at this late juncture of the regular season. With the Caps gearing up for the postseason and the Red Wings looking for the upset, let’s find out which team is offering the best value against their NHL Odds for the Red Wings vs Capitals.

Red Wings vs Capitals 2020 NHL Game Preview & Betting Odds

• When: Thursday, March 12, 2020 at 7:00 PM ET
• Where: Capital One Arena
• TV: FSDT, NSWA
• NHL Odds: Washington -400/Detroit +330 / Total: 6

Why Bet On Detroit at +330

The Red Wings have lost seven of nine and 10 of their last 13 games overall including a 5-2 loss against Carolina on Tuesday night as they fell short of getting their season-high, third straight win.

“We’ve been playing some great hockey,” forward Robby Fabbri said after Detroit was limited to two goals or fewer for the 11th time in 14 games. “We just gotta keep a calm head and keep going, even when things aren’t going our way.”

Tyler Bertuzzi failed to score in 13 straight games before finding the back of the net in each of the last three to boost his team-leading total to 21. Detroit has gone a pitiful 5-26-1-2 on the road this season.

Offense:

• Goals For: 2.0
• Shots For: 27.1
• Power Plays: 15.2
• Face-Offs: 49.5

Defense:

• Goals Against: 7
• Shots Against: 32.8
• Penalty Kills: 75.2
• Shutouts: 7

Detroit Red Wings NHL Betting Trends

• Red Wings are 13-38 in their last 51 vs. Metropolitan
• Red Wings are 13-45 in their last 58 road games.
• Red Wings are 14-52 in their last 66 games as an underdog.
• Red Wings are 10-41 in their last 51 overall.
• Red Wings are 4-24 in their last 28 games following a home loss of 3 or more goals.

Why Bet On Washington at -400

The Capitals have dropped three of their last four including a heartbreaking 3-2 shootout loss against Buffalo on Monday night that denied them their bid to win consecutive games for just the second time since the all-star break.

“This time of the year, we want to be getting to the next level, and we are staying average,” goaltender Braden Holtby said. “We got to find a way to push forward here.”

Alex Ovechkin scored his co-league leading 48th goal and now sits two goals shy of joining Hall of Famers Wayne Gretzky and Mike Bossy as the only players in history with nine 50-goal seasons. The Capitals have gone 18-10-3-2 at home this season.

Offense:

• Goals For: 3.4
• Shots For: 31.9
• Power Plays: 19.5
• Face-Offs: 48.3

Defense:

• Goals Against: 3.1
• Shots Against: 30.3
• Penalty Kills: 82.8
• Shutouts: 2

Washington Capitals NHL Betting Trends

• Capitals are 101-40 in their last 141 vs. Atlantic.
• Capitals are 35-17 in their last 52 vs. a team with a winning percentage below .400.
• Capitals are 1-4 in their last 5 games as a favorite.
• Capitals are 2-8 in their last 10 vs. Eastern Conference.

Red Wings vs Capitals Expert Analysis and Prediction

While Washington has struggled mightily since the all-star break, there’s nothing like a matchup against the lowly Red Wings to get a team back on track. Detroit give up an insane 3.7 goals per game to rank 31s in goals allowed and Washington ranks a stellar second in scoring. More importantly, Washington still has a lot to play for as they sit just one point up on Philadelphia and three up on longtime rival Pittsburgh.

The Red Wings are a nearly winless 1-6 in the last 7 meetings in Washington and a discouraging 5-16 in the last 21 meetings against the Caps overall. With the favorite in this rivalry going 20-7 in the last 27 meetings and Washington being far superior at both ends of the ice, I like the Capitals to get the win by at least two goals in this one.

Pick: Washington 4 Detroit 2