The Anaheim Ducks, led by Ryan Getzlaf and Rickard Rakell, are set to take the ice against Nicklas Backstrom, Alex Ovechkin, and the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena in a cross-country showdown. The opening face-off is at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 2, and it’s being shown live on NBC Sports Washington.
Anaheim Ducks at Washington Capitals Odds
Anaheim (+170) is entering this one as the underdog to Washington (-195), and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals (-110 over, -110 under).
Washington is 15-10 straight up (SU) and has earned 2.9 units for moneyline bettors this season. That win percentage, ranked fifth in the league so far in this young season, is right in line with what the team produced during last year’s regular season (49-33). Among the team’s 25 games this season, 13 have gone over the total, while 10 have gone under and just two have pushed. The team is 8-5 SU at home this year.
The Capitals have converted on 28.2 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that’s good enough for fifth-best in the NHL. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 20th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 78.3 percent of all penalties.
Averaging 28.7 saves per game with a .917 save percentage, Braden Holtby (10-8-3) has been the principal option in goal for Washington this season. If Washington decides to give him the day off, however, it may turn to Pheonix Copley (6-3-3 record, .899 save percentage, 3.06 goals against average).
Anaheim has earned moneyline bettors 0.0 units this season and is currently 13-15 straight up (SU). A total of 18 of its matches have gone under the total, while nine have gone over and just one has pushed. As the away team, the Ducks are 6-7 SU so far.
The Ducks have converted on just 15.2 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that places them in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 13th overall and it’s successfully defended 80.0 percent of all opponent power plays.
John Gibson (31.7 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for Anaheim. Gibson has 10 wins, 12 losses, and four OT losses to his credit, while registering a .929 save percentage and 2.47 goals against average this year.
Anaheim Ducks vs. Washington Capitals Betting Picks
NHL Pick: SU Winner \u2013 Capitals, O/U \u2013 Over
Betting Trends
- The Capitals are 1-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while the Ducks are 2-2 in shootouts.
- The under has hit in four of Anaheim’s last five outings.
- Anaheim has managed 24.8 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Washington has been attempting 30.2 shots per game over its last five at home.
- Over Washington’s last ten outings, eight of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 6-2 in those games).
- Anaheim skaters notched 24.2 hits per game last season, while the Caps logged 24.2 hits per contest.
