A couple of teams that are firmly in the playoff hunt, the New York Islanders and the Washington Capitals clash at Capital One Arena. The game will get underway at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, January 18, and you will be able to see this divisional matchup live on NBC Sports Washington.
New York Islanders vs. Washington Capitals Odds
The Capitals are 27-19 straight up (SU) and have netted 3.0 units for moneyline bettors this season. That winning percentage, ranked 2nd in the Metropolitan Division in this young season, hasn’t moved much from the 49-33 record the team produced during last year’s regular season campaign. Among its 46 games this season, 23 have gone over the total, while 20 have gone under and just three have pushed. This year, the team’s 13-10 SU at home.
Washington’s connected on 21.6 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that places them in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 24th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 78.2 percent of all penalties.
Washington, as a collective unit, has been penalized 4.1 times per game overall this season, and 5.0 per game over its past five contests. The team’s had to kill penalties for a whopping 14.4 minutes per game over its last five outings, overall.
With a .912 save percentage and 28.2 saves per game, Braden Holtby (17-14-4) has been the primary option in goal for the Capitals this season. If head coach Todd Reirden decides to rest him, however, the team may turn to Pheonix Copley (11-7-7 record, .906 save percentage, 2.91 goals against average).
Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom will each lead the way for the Capitals. Ovechkin (52 points) is up to 33 goals and 19 assists and has recorded multiple points in 13 different games this year. Backstrom has 12 goals and 34 assists to his name and has recorded a point in 29 games.
New York has netted 13.3 units for moneyline bettors this year and is currently 27-19 straight up (SU). Through 46 regular season matches, 26 of its games have gone under the total, while 16 have gone over and just three have pushed. As a road team this season, New York is 14-9 SU.
New York 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 21st overall and it’s successfully killed off 78.5 percent of all opponent power plays.
New York’s skaters have been whistled for penalties 3.7 times per game this season, and 3.0 per game over their past ten match ups. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 6.3 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Robin Lehner (25.9 saves per game) has been the main option in the net for New York. Lehner has 14 wins, 11 losses, and three overtime losses to his credit, while registering a .928 save percentage and 2.11 goals against average this year.
Mathew Barzal (13 goals, 30 assists) has been one of the primary playmaking threats for the visiting Islanders.
New York Islanders vs. Washington Capitals Free Picks
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Capitals, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- New York is 2-3 in games decided by a shootout this season while Washington is 3-1 in shootouts.
- The total has gone under in three of New York’s last five games.
- New York has managed 24.6 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Washington is averaging 29.0 shots per game over its last five at home.
- Washington has averaged 3.4 goals per game overall this year, but has been averaging 1.3 goals per contest in its last three contests (the team is 0-3 SU over that stretch).
- Four of New York’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 4-0 in those games.
- New York skaters have accounted for the league’s seventh-most hits per game (24.5), but the team’s averaged just 20.6 hits over their last five away games.
