John Carlson, Alex Ovechkin, and the Washington Capitals will face off against Brock Nelson, Mathew Barzal, and the New York Islanders at Nassau Coliseum in a divisional showdown. The match will get underway at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 18, and it’s being shown live on NBC Sports Washington.
Washington Capitals vs. New York Islanders Odds
Oddsmakers have not yet posted moneyline or Over/Under odds for this matchup.
Washington is 32-16 straight up (SU) and has earned 6.3 units for moneyline bettors this season. 29 of its outings have gone over the total, while 18 have gone under and none have pushed. The Caps are 17-7 SU on the road in 2019-20.
Washington has converted on 20.8 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. Additionally, it has the second-best penalty kill in the league, and the team’s successfully killed off a whopping 84.4 percent of all penalties..
Averaging 25.9 saves per game with a .899 save percentage, Braden Holtby (18-14-4) has been the top option in goal for Washington this year. If it chooses to give him a rest, however, head coach Todd Reirden could roll with Ilya Samsonov (14-4-1 record, .926 save percentage, 2.10 goals against average).
On the other side of the rink, New York is 28-18 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 8.2 units this season. 25 of its games have gone under the total, while 18 have gone over and just two have pushed. The team’s 15-9 SU at home this year.
The Islanders have converted on just 18.3 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 19th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 79.0 percent of all penalties.
Semyon Varlamov has denied 25.8 shots per game as the primary option in goal for the Islanders. Varlamov has 16 wins, 14 losses, and four OT losses and has registered a 2.50 goals against average and a .918 save percentage this year.
Washington Capitals vs. New York Islanders Free Picks
Pick: SU Winner – Capitals, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- The Capitals are 3-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while the Islanders are 3-1 in shootouts.
- This game features two of the tougher teams in the league. Washington skaters have dished out the league’s ninth-most hits per game (23.6) and the Isles have handed the most (29.4).
