Capital One Arena is playing host to an enticing tilt as the Washington Capitals face off against the visiting Nashville Predators. It’s the last time that the two clubs will go at it in the regular season. NBC Sports Network will broadcast this East-West matchup, and the opening face-off is at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 29.
Nashville Predators at Washington Capitals Odds
Nashville (+135) is entering this one as the underdog to Washington (-155), and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 7 goals (-120 under, +100 over).
Earning moneyline bettors 9.3 units, the Capitals are 34-16 straight up (SU) overall this year. That win percentage, strongest in the league so far this season, is an improvement compared to what the team did during last year’s regular season (48-34). Through 50 regular season contests, 31 of the team’s games have gone over the total, while 18 have gone under and just one has pushed. The team is 15-9 SU at home this season.
Washington’s converted on 20.5 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated second overall, and it’s successfully killed off 84.5 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, Washington has been called for penalties 4.2 times per game overall this season, and 2.6 per game over its last five games at home. The team has been forced to defend opposition power plays for just 8.6 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, overall.
Averaging 25.9 saves per game with a .899 save percentage, Braden Holtby (20-14-4) has been the top option in goal for the Capitals this season. If they decide to give him a rest, however, head coach Todd Reirden might turn to Ilya Samsonov (15-4-4 record, .927 save percentage, 2.06 goals against average).
The Caps will continue to lean on the offensive production from John Carlson and Alex Ovechkin. Carlson (60 points) has tallied 13 goals and 47 assists and has recorded multiple points on 19 different occasions this year. Ovechkin has 34 goals and 16 assists to his name and has notched at least one point in 29 games.
Nashville has lost 15.3 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year and is currently 22-26 straight up (SU). Through 48 regular season outings, 29 of its games have gone over the total, while 18 have gone under the total and just one has pushed. As an away team so far, Nashville is 11-12 SU.
Nashville has converted on just 16.8 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that places it in the bottom-10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 29th overall and it’s successfully killed off 74.2 percent of all opponent power plays.
Nashville’s skaters have been penalized 3.8 times per game this season, and 2.6 per game over their past five match ups. The team’s been forced to kill penalties just 8.3 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Pekka Rinne (.897 save percentage and 2.98 goals against average) has been the main option in goal for Nashville. Rinne is averaging 24.2 saves per game and owns a 16-14-3 record.
For the visiting Predators, the offense will run through Roman Josi, who has 34 assists and 14 goals this year.
Nashville Predators at Washington Capitals Betting Picks
Prediction: SU Winner – Capitals, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- The under has hit in three of Nashville’s last five outings.
- Two teams that attempt a lot of shots on goal, Nashville has attempted the league’s third-most shots on goal (33.9) while Washington has attempted the 10th-most (32.1).
- Power plays and penalty kills could prove to be extremely important tonight. The Predators are 12-7 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 14-18 in games where they’re in the box for fewer than 10 penalty minutes, total. The Capitals are 10-6 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 17-8 when their penalty minutes are in the single digits.
- Nashville is 1-3 in games decided by a shootout this season while Washington is 3-2 in shootouts.
- Washington skaters have created 9.4 takeaways per game over its last five home games, an improvement over its season average of 7.7 takeaways per game (ranked 16th in the NHL).
- Nashville is ranked 12th overall this season with 8.1 takeaways per game. That figure has trended lower, however, as the team has averaged 7.1 takeaways over its last 10 games and 7.4 takeaways over its last five.
- Washington might hold the upper hand if it’s a tight one late. The team’s 15-8 in games decided by one goal, while Nashville is 7-10 in such games.
