Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, and the Washington Capitals will face off against Dylan Larkin, Gustav Nyquist, and the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena in an Eastern Conference showdown. Fox Sports Detroit will broadcast the game, which gets underway at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 6.
Washington Capitals at Detroit Red Wings Odds
The Capitals (-170) are being tabbed as the favorites over the Red Wings (+150) and the Over/Under (O/U) is placed at 6 goals (-120 to bet the over, +100 for the under).
Washington is 24-16 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 4.0 units this season. 21 of its outings have gone over the total, while 17 have gone under and just two have pushed. This 2018-19 Capitals team is 12-8 SU on the road.
Washington has converted on 22.1 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. Its penalty kill is ranked 26th overall, and the team’s successfully killed off only 76.8 percent of its penalties..
Sporting a .910 save percentage and 28.6 saves per game, Braden Holtby (15-13-3) has been the top option in goal for Washington this season. If Washington chooses to rest him, however, they might go with Pheonix Copley (10-4-2), who has a .915 save percentage and 2.56 goals against average this year.
On the other bench, Detroit is 16-27 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.5 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 43 regular season outings, 23 of its games have gone over the total, while 18 have gone under and just two have pushed. It’s 9-14 SU at home this season.
The Red Wings have converted on just 17.4 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 21st overall, and it’s successfully killed off 77.5 percent of all penalties.
Jimmy Howard has stopped 29.4 shots per game as the primary option in goal for the Red Wings. Howard has 11 wins, 17 losses, and five OT losses and has recorded a pedestrian 2.77 goals against average and a .918 save percentage this season.
Washington Capitals vs. Detroit Red Wings Free Picks
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Red Wings, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- Two of the Red Wings’ last ten games have gone to a shootout. The team is 0-2 in those games and 2-5 overall in shootouts this year.
- For both of these teams, the total has gone over in each of their last five outings.
- Four of Detroit’s last ten outings have been decided by two or more goals. The team is 1-3 overall in those games.
- Washington skaters registered 24.2 hits per game last season, while the Wings forced 19.6 hits per contest.
