Two teams facing each other for the second time this season, the Detroit Red Wings and the Washington Capitals face off at Capital One Arena in an Eastern Conference matchup. The first puck will drop at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 11, and you will be able to witness the game live on Fox Sports Detroit.
Detroit Red Wings at Washington Capitals Odds
Washington (+160) is playing the role of underdog to Washington (-180), and the oddsmakers have put the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-130 under, +110 over).
Washington is 32-22 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 5.9 units this season. That winning percentage, ranked 1st in the Metropolitan Division in this young season, is a regression from the 55-27 record that the team managed during the 2016-17 season campaign. Through 54 regular season contests, 31 of its games have gone over the total, while 23 have gone under and none have pushed. This season, the team is 20-9 SU at home.
The Capitals have converted on 20.8 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 22nd overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 79.3 percent of all penalties.
As a team, the Capitals have been penalized 4.1 times per game overall this season, and 3.0 per game over their last five games. The team has had to defend opposition power plays for just 7.2 minutes per game over their last five matchups, in total.
Averaging 28.8 saves per game with a .916 save percentage, Braden Holtby (28-12-2) has been the best goalkeeper for the Caps this season. If the Caps, however, choose to give him a breather, Washington might turn to Philipp Grubauer (4-14-14 record, .913 save percentage, 2.69 goals against average).
The Caps will continue relying on offensive production out of Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Ovechkin (58 points) has tallied 32 goals and 26 assists and has recorded multiple points in 16 different games this year. Kuznetsov has 15 goals and 37 assists to his credit and has notched at least one point in 33 games.
Over on the other bench, Detroit is 21-32 straight up (SU) and has lost 9.5 units for moneyline bettors thus far. A total of 30 of its outings have gone under the total, while 23 have gone over and none have pushed. The Red Wings are 10-14 SU as a road team this season.
The Red Wings have converted on 19.0 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 23rd overall and it’s successfully killed off 78.6 percent of all penalties.
Detroit’s skaters have been whistled for penalties 3.7 times per game this season, 3.2 per game over their last five contests total, and 3.8 per game over their last five games as the visiting team. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 8.1 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jimmy Howard (.911 save percentage and 2.82 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Detroit. Howard is averaging 26.2 saves per game and has 14 wins, 25 losses, and six OT losses to his credit.
Dylan Larkin (eight goals, 32 assists) has been one of the primary playmakers on offense for the visiting Red Wings.
Detroit Red Wings at Washington Capitals Betting Predictions
NHL Pick: SU Winner – Capitals, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- Washington is 3-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Detroit is 4-1 in shootouts.
- The total has gone over in four of Washington’s last five outings.
- Four of Washington’s last ten games have been decided by two or more goals. The team is 3-1 overall in those games.
- The Caps this season have registered the 10th-most hits per game (22.5).
