Two of the league’s best at killing off power plays, the Vegas Golden Knights and the Washington Capitals collide at Capital One Arena. The game gets going at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, November 9, and you are able to watch this East-West matchup live on AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain.
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Washington Capitals Odds
Washington (-130) is the favorite over Vegas (+110), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been placed at 7 goals. If bettors want to wager on the game’s total, they’ll be looking at odds of -115 for the over and -105 on the under.
The Capitals are 12-5 straight up (SU) and have earned 6.2 units for moneyline bettors this year. That winning percentage, ranked second in the NHL in this young season, is an improvement over the 48-34 record from last year’s regular season campaign. Through 17 regular season matches, 12 of the team’s games have gone over the total, while five have gone under and none have pushed. So far this year, the team’s 4-3 SU at home.
Washington’s converted on 25.9 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s good enough for fifth-best in the league. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated eighth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 85.7 percent of all penalties.
As a team, Washington has been penalized 4.2 times per game overall this season, 4.8 per game over its past five outings total, and 3.8 per game over its last five home outings. The team has had to kill penalties for 11.0 minutes per game over its last five home outings.
With a .895 save percentage and 26.9 saves per game, Braden Holtby (seven wins, five losses, and three OT losses) has been the top option in goal for the Capitals this year. If the Caps decide to rest him, however, it could turn to Ilya Samsonov (5-1-1 record, .915 save percentage, 2.38 goals against average).
The Caps will continue looking for leadership from John Carlson and Alex Ovechkin. Carlson (26 points) has put up eight goals and 18 assists and has recorded two or more points in eight different games this year. Ovechkin has 13 goals and nine assists to his credit and has recorded at least one point in 12 games.
Vegas has lost 3.5 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year and is currently 9-8 straight up (SU). Through 17 regular season contests, nine of its games have gone over the total, while eight have gone under the total and none have pushed. Vegas’ 5-3 SU as a road team this season.
Vegas has scored on 21.7 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that’s good enough for 10th-best in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked third overall and it’s successfully defended 89.2 percent of all opponent power plays.
Vegas’ skaters have been penalized 4.3 times per game this season, 3.8 per game over their last five games total, and 4.6 per game over their last five on the road. The team’s been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 8.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Marc-Andre Fleury (.924 save percentage and 2.40 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Vegas. Fleury is averaging 27.6 saves per game and has nine wins, five losses, and one OT loss to his credit.
Leading the offensive firepower for the visiting Golden Knights will be Mark Stone (eight goals, 10 assists) and William Karlsson (four goals, 12 assists).
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Washington Capitals Betting Predictions
Free NHL Pick: SU Winner – Golden Knights, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- For both of these teams, the game went over the total in four of their last five outings.
- After averaging the most shots in the league last season (34.4 per game), Vegas has attempted 34.2 shots per game overall this season, and 34.6 in its last 10 games.
- The Golden Knights are 6-4 SU when they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Capitals are 7-1 SU in games where they serve more minutes than their opponent.
- Washington skaters have managed 9.2 takeaways per game over its last five home games, an improvement over its season average of 7.8 takeaways per game (ranked 11th overall).
- Vegas has created 7.0 takeaways per game over its last five road games, a drop-off from its season average of 10.6 takeaways per game (ranked second in the league).
