Phil Kessel, Evgeni Malkin, and the Pittsburgh Penguins will do battle against Evgeny Kuznetsov, Alex Ovechkin, and the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena in a Metropolitan Division tilt. NBC Sports Network will air the game, and the opening face-off is at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, November 7.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Washington Capitals Odds
Washington (-125) is currently the favorite over Pittsburgh (+105) and the Over/Under (O/U) has been placed at 7 goals. The line for betting the total stands at -110 for the over and -110 on the under.
Losing -2.5 units for moneyline bettors, Washington is 6-7 straight up (SU) overall this year. That early-season winning percentage is a noticeable slide from what the team managed during last year’s regular season (49-33). Among its 13 games this season, nine have gone over the total, while three have gone under and just one has pushed. This season, the team is 4-3 SU at home.
The Capitals enter the matchup with the best power-play unit in the NHL, as they’ve found the net on 36.6 percent of their extra-man advantages this year. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 25th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 75.0 percent of all penalties.
With a .888 save percentage and 26.9 saves per game, Braden Holtby (4-6-3) has been the top option in goal for Washington this year. If the Caps choose to give him the night off, however, Washington could turn to Pheonix Copley (2-2-2 record, .898 save percentage, 3.14 goals against average).
Pittsburgh has lost 7.5 units for moneyline bettors thus far and is currently 6-7 straight up (SU). Through 13 regular season contests, six of its games have gone under the total, while five have gone over and just two have pushed. The Penguins are 4-2 SU as the visiting team this season.
The Penguins have converted on 23.1 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 11th overall and it’s successfully killed off 81.6 percent of all opponent power plays.
Matt Murray (3.87 goals against average and .886 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Pittsburgh. Murray is averaging 27.7 saves per game and has four wins, five losses, and one OT loss to his credit.
Pittsburgh Penguins at Washington Capitals Betting Predictions
Free NHL Pick: SU Winner – Capitals, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- The Penguins are 0-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while the Capitals are 1-1 in shootouts.
- For both of these teams, the over has hit in three of their past five games.
- Pittsburgh skaters notched 24.6 hits per game last season, while the Caps logged 24.2 hits per contest.
