John Carlson, Jakub Vrana, and the Washington Capitals will do battle against Filip Forsberg, Matt Duchene, and the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena for an East-West showdown. The opening face-off takes place at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, October 10, and fans at home are able to catch it live on NBC Sports Washington.
Washington Capitals vs. Nashville Predators Odds
The Predators (-150) are being labeled as the favorites over the Capitals (+130), and oddsmakers have put the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-120 for the over, +100 for the under).
Nashville is 2-1 straight up (SU) and has recorded -0.6 units for moneyline bettors thus far. That winning percentage, ranked second in the Central Division so far in the early season, is a slide from what the team managed during the 2018-19 season (47-35). So far this year, the team’s 2-1 SU at home.
The Preds have successfully scored on 22.2 percent of their power play opportunities in 2019-20. That’s a noticeable improvement from last year, when they were ranked 31st in the league by scoring on 12.6 percent of their extra-man advantages. Their penalty kill has fallen off significantly year-over-year as they’ve gone from successfully defending 82.1 percent of opponents’ power plays (ranked sixth overall last season) to 75.0 percent this year.
Sporting a .932 save percentage and 27.5 saves per game, the undefeated Pekka Rinne (2-0) has been the best option in goal for Nashville this season. If Nashville decides to give him the night off, however, the team may turn to Juuse Saros (0-1-1 record, .852 save percentage, 4.15 goals against average).
On the other side of the ice, Washington is 2-2 straight up (SU) and has lost 0.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. A total of three of its matches have gone under the total, while one has gone over and none have pushed. As the visiting team, the Capitals are 2-0 SU so far.
The Caps have recorded a goal on 12.5 percent of their power play chances this year after converting on 21.2 percent of their extra-man opportunities in 2018-19 (when the team ranked ninth in the league in that category). The team’s gone from killing off 79.7 percent of opponent power plays (ranked 19th overall last season) to 81.8 percent in 2019-20.
Braden Holtby (.882 save percentage and 2.89 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Washington. Holtby is averaging 22.3 saves per game and owns a 1-2-2 record.
Washington Capitals vs. Nashville Predators Betting Predictions
Prediction: SU Winner – Predators, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- For both of these teams, the game went over the total in three of their past five outings.
- Washington has yet to play in a game this season that’s been decided by two or more goals.
- Washington skaters created 24.2 hits per game last season, while the Predators forced 18.7 hits per matchup.
