Nikita Kucherov, Steven Stamkos, and the Tampa Bay Lightning are set to do battle against Alex Ovechkin, John Carlson, and the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena in an Eastern Conference matchup. The puck drops at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 21, and you are able to see it live on NBC Sports Washington.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Washington Capitals Odds
Each side currently has an identical -110 money line for this matchup and oddsmakers have put the Over/Under (O/U) at 7 goals (-125 for the over, +105 for the under).
Netting moneyline bettors 7.6 units, Washington is 25-11 straight up (SU) overall in the 2019-20 season. That winning percentage, ranked second in the NHL in this young season, is an improvement over the 48-34 record from last year’s regular season campaign. Through 36 regular season matches, 22 of the team’s games have gone over the total, while 13 have gone under and none have pushed. Thus far, the team is 9-7 SU at home.
The Capitals have converted on 22.4 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s good enough for eighth-best in the NHL. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated sixth overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 84.9 percent of all penalties.
With a .909 save percentage and 27.6 saves per game, Braden Holtby (16-9-4) has been the best option in goal for the Caps this season. If Washington decides to rest him, however, the team might turn to Ilya Samsonov (9-3-3 record, .916 save percentage, 2.43 goals against average).
Tampa Bay has lost 9.4 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year and is currently 17-16 straight up (SU). Through 33 regular season matches, 20 of its games have gone over the total, while 12 have gone under the total and just one has pushed. As the road team, the Lightning are 8-7 SU so far.
The Lightning enter the matchup with the second-best power-play unit in the NHL, as they’ve converted on 29.6 percent of their extra-man opportunities this year. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 16th overall and it’s successfully killed off 80.4 percent of all penalties.
Andrei Vasilevskiy (2.88 goals against average and .906 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Tampa Bay. Vasilevskiy is averaging 27.6 saves per game and has 14 wins, 11 losses, and two OT losses to his credit.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Washington Capitals Betting Predictions
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Capitals, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- The Capitals (3-2 in shootouts this season) has more experience in games decided by shootout. The Lightning emerged victorious in its lone shootout this season.
- The under has hit in three of Washington’s last five outings.
- Seven of Washington’s last ten games have been decided by two or more goals. The club is 5-2 overall in those games.
- This game features two of the more physical defenses in the league. Tampa Bay skaters have accounted for the 10th-most hits in the league (23.2 per game) while the Capitals have registered the ninth-most (23.7).
