In a game that features two teams that are firmly in the playoff picture, the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Washington Capitals collide at Capital One Arena in an Eastern Conference showdown. TVA Sports will air the matchup, and the action gets going at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 20.
Tampa Bay Lightning at Washington Capitals Odds
Tampa Bay is 39-20 straight up (SU) and has netted 8.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 59 regular season contests, 37 of its games have gone over the total, while 22 have gone under and none have pushed. This 2017-18 Lightning team is 19-13 SU on the road.
Tampa Bay currently touts the second-strongest power-play unit in the NHL, as it’s scored on 24.6 percent of its extra-man advantages this season. Additionally, its penalty kill is ranked 23rd in the league, and it has successfully killed off 78.1 percent of all penalties.
Tampa Bay, as a collective unit, has been sent to the penalty box 4.0 times per game this season, and 3.0 per game over its past five contests. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays just 7.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Boasting a .927 save percentage and 29.2 saves per game, Andrei Vasilevskiy (34-15-2) has been the best option in goal for Tampa Bay this season. If it chooses to give him a rest, however, head coach Jon Cooper may turn to Louis Domingue (2-10 record, .877 save percentage, 3.90 goals against average).
The visiting Lightning have relied on Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos heavily this season. Kucherov has 77 points on 31 goals and 46 assists, and has recorded multiple points in 25 different games. Stamkos has 24 goals and 44 assists to his name, and has registered a point in 40 games.
Over on the other bench, Washington is 34-25 straight up (SU) and has earned 3.1 units for moneyline bettors this year. 35 of its matches have gone over the total, while 23 have gone under and none have pushed. It’s 20-10 SU at home this season.
Washington has converted on 20.8 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 17th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 80.2 percent of all penalties.
Washington players have been penalized 4.2 times per game in total this season, and 2.6 per game over their last five at home. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays 8.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Braden Holtby (28.9 saves per game) has been the top netminder in goal for Washington. Holtby has 28 wins, 15 losses, and four OT losses to his name and has maintained a mediocre 2.92 goals against average and a .911 save percentage this year.
The home team offense will be led by Alex Ovechkin (35 goals, 31 assists).
Tampa Bay Lightning at Washington Capitals Betting Predictions
Prediction: SU Winner – Lightning, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- Tampa Bay is 2-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while Washington is 3-1 in shootouts.
- The over has hit in each of Washington’s last five games.
- The Capitals this season have registered the 12th-most hits per game (22.3).
