The year 2005 remains a landmark for the history of the National Hockey League. As the NHL was returning to action after a lost season due to a labor lockout two young stars were taking to the ice for the first time. Sidney Crosby was the top overall pick and was tasked with literally saving the Pittsburgh Penguins franchise. In the same way Alex Ovechkin was picked to jumpstart a lethargic Washington Capitals franchise plagued by mediocrity with the NHL odds and apathy with its fans. Since that time, we have been treated to greatness and championships from both teams and players. This great rivalry will be renewed on NBC Sunday afternoon.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Washington Capitals
Date and Time: Sunday, February 23, 2020, Noon ET
Location: Capital One Arena, Washington, DC
NHL Betting Online Odds at Bookmaker.eu: Check Back Later
Penguins vs. Capitals TV Coverage: NBC
Both teams have large followings and plenty of respect from the betting public. The Pens may offer the better value with the NHL Odds as the road dog and equal opponent that has had the recent upper hand in this head to head series.
Penguins and Capitals Current Form
Washington suffered from a bad Stanley Cup hangover last season in which old bad habits of the past returned. And their most recent stretch of five losses in their last seven games is reminiscent of that. The Caps are now 37-17-3-2 with only 22 games under the total. Washington ranks fourth in the NHL for goal scoring but 14th for goals allowed. Most important of all is that the Capitals have fallen from first to fourth place in the East.
Pittsburgh is one of the teams that has overtaken the Caps. The Penguins are 37-15-6 after winning six of their last eight games. Pittsburgh ranks seventh in the NHL for goal scoring and sixth for goals allowed. They have climbed to third place in the East.
Key Penguins: C Evgeni Malkin (18 G, 40 A, 58 PTS, 5 PPG, 15 PPA, 13.0 SPCT), D Kris Letang (14 G, 25 A, 39 PTS, 6 PPG, 8 PPA, 9.4 SPCT), G Matt Murray (17-7-5, 2.76 GAA, .904 SVPCT, 1 SO), G Tristan Jarry (19-8-1, 2.14 GAA, .930 SVPCT, 3 SO)
Key Capitals: D John Carlson (15 G, 55 A, 70 PTS, +14, 2 PPG, 22 PPA, 9.1 SPCT), LW Alex Ovechkin (40 G, 17 A, 57 PTS, -14, 12 PPG, 5 PPA, 14.5 SPCT), G Braden Holtby (21-13-4, 3.11 GAA, .897 SVPCT, 0 SO)
Pittsburgh and Washington Against the Spread
The Penguins are:
11-4 against the spread in their last 15 away games
1-5 under the total on road ice
5-2 on the board in their last seven games as dogs
7-4 over the total as the underdog
7-5 vs. the odds in their last 12 games at Washington
2-7 under the total in away games vs. Caps
The Capitals are:
3-5 against the spread in their last eight games at Capital One Arena
5-0-1 over the total on home ice
6-4 on the board in their last 10 games as a favorite
7-0-2 over the total as a chalk
1-4 in their last five head to head meetings with the Penguins
3-2 over the total against Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Washington Capitals NHL Odds Pick
In this situation Pittsburgh is the proven betting value as a dog, visitor and against the Capitals. Washington has been backsliding into its sloppy habits of last year. Late on the Penguins have been the superior money maker on the board. Washington’s recent run is not indicative of a reliable favorite.
Penguins vs. Capitals NHL Odds Best Bet: Pittsburgh Penguins
Penguins vs. Capitals NHL Odds Score Prediction: Penguins 3, Capitals 2
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