Matching up for the second and final time this season, the Washington Capitals and the Chicago Blackhawks meet at the United Center in an East-West showdown. The opening face-off is at 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 17, and fans at home can view the game live on WGN Channel 9.
Washington Capitals vs. Chicago Blackhawks Odds
Washington (-130) is currently favored over Chicago (+110) and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals. The line for betting that total stands at -120 money on the over and +100 on the under.
Washington is 33-24 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 4.3 units this season. 34 of its outings have gone over the total, while 23 have gone under and none have pushed. As the road team in 2017-18, the Caps are 13-14 SU.
Washington has converted on 21.1 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 17th overall, and it has successfully killed off 80.0 percent of its penalties.
The Caps, as a collective unit, have been penalized 4.1 times per game overall this season, 3.6 per game over its past five matchups total, and 4.6 per game over its last five road outings. The team has had to kill penalties just 8.1 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 28.9 saves per game with a .913 save percentage, Braden Holtby (28-14-4) has been the primary option in goal for Washington this year. If it decides to give him a rest, however, head coach Barry Trotz could turn to Philipp Grubauer (5-14-3 record, .915 save percentage, 2.65 goals against average).
Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov will both be relied on to facilitate things for the visiting Capitals. Ovechkin (65 points) is up to 34 goals and 31 assists, and has recorded two or more points in 17 different games. Kuznetsov has 15 goals and 39 assists to his credit (and has registered at least one point in 36 games).
Chicago is 24-34 straight up (SU) and has lost 15.1 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 58 regular season matches, 30 of its games have gone under the total, while 25 have gone over and just three have pushed. This season, the team is 12-16 SU as the home team.
The Blackhawks have converted on just 16.0 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that places them in the bottom overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 10th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.2 percent of all penalties.
Blackhawks skaters have been sent to the penalty box only 3.7 times per game in total this season, and 3.0 per game over their last five home outings. The team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 7.2 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Corey Crawford has stopped 27.9 shots per game as the top choice in goal for the Blackhawks. Crawford has 16 wins, 12 losses, and two OT losses to his credit and has registered a 2.27 goals against average and a .929 save percentage this season.
Patrick Kane (21 goals, 32 assists) will pace the offensive counter for the host team.
Washington Capitals vs. Chicago Blackhawks Betting Picks
NHL Tip: SU Winner – Blackhawks, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- The over has hit in four of Washington’s last five outings.
- Washington has managed 31.6 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Chicago is averaging 39.0 shots per game over its last five at home.
- Chicago has averaged 2.8 goals per game (overall) this year, but has been averaging 1.8 goals per matchup over its eight-game losing streak.
- Over Washington’s last ten games, five of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 4-1 in those games).
- Washington skaters have accounted for the 12th-most hits in the league (22.2 per game), but the teams averaged just 18.4 hits over their last five away games.
