Washington Capitals at Pittsburgh Penguins odds, picks and predictions
The Washington Capitals (36-11-8) travel to meet the Pittsburgh Penguins (23-25-9) Saturday at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. Puck drop is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN+). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's NHL odds around the Capitals vs. Penguins odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: Tied 1-1
These teams have met twice already this season, and both times were at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. The Penguins won 4-2 as moderate underdogs (+161) as the Under (6.5) cashed Nov. 8.
The Caps won 4-1 as heavy favorites (-185) in the rematch Jan. 18. The Under (5.5) also cashed in that one. D Jakob Chychrun, C Aliaksei Protas, LW Pierre-Luc Dubois (power-play goal) and D Brandon Duhaime (empty-netter) scored goals in the victory to beat Pittsburgh backup G Joel Blomqvist. It was more than enough support for Caps G Logan Thompson, who had 18 saves in the win.
The Pens lost 3-2 in Philadelphia Feb. 8 prior to the 4 Nations Face-Off Tournament, but Pittsburgh is still 3-1-1 in the past 5 games, with the Under on a 7-0 run since Jan. 25.
The Caps suffered a 5-4 shootout loss on Super Bowl Sunday as moderate favorites (-177), but they are still 3-0-3 in the past 6 games. The Over has hit in 5 consecutive outings.
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Capitals at Penguins odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 6:48 p.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML) : Capitals -165 (bet $165 to win $100) | Penguins +140 (bet $100 to win $140)
: Capitals -165 (bet $165 to win $100) | Penguins +140 (bet $100 to win $140) Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS) : Capitals -1.5 (+155) | Penguins +1.5 (-190)
: Capitals -1.5 (+155) | Penguins +1.5 (-190) Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)
Capitals at Penguins projected goalies
Charlie Lindgren (12-9-3, 2.63 GAA, .902 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Alex Nedeljkovic (16-11-2, 2.84 GAA, .906 SV%, 2 SO)
Lindgren allowed 3 goals on 22 shots in a 4-3 win in Philadelphia Feb. 6 in his most recent appearance. He has allowed 3 or more goals in 6 of his past 9 outings. Lindgren allowed 3 goals on 31 shots in a 4-2 loss to the Penguins Nov. 8 in his only appearance against Pittsburgh this season.
Nedeljkovic allowed just 2 goals on 24 shots in his most recent appearance Feb. 7 on the road against the New York Rangers in a win. He is 2-0-1 with a 1.30 GAA and .943 SV% with 1 SO in 3 starts in February. Ned hasn't faced the Capitals this season.
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Capitals at Penguins picks and predictions
Prediction
Penguins 3, Capitals 2
The PENGUINS (+140) are an intriguing play at home as short 'dogs.
Pittsburgh was red-hot prior to the 4 Nations Tournament break, going 3-1-1 in the previous 5 games. Of course, the Capitals (-165) are 3-0-3 in the past 6 games, too. Don't get carried away, but Pittsburgh is the much better value at home.
The Penguins +1.5 (-190) will cost you 1.9 times your potential return, and that's way too much risk for not nearly enough reward, should you need a little bit of insurance and just cannot bet Pittsburgh straight up.
If you were to toss the Pens into a multi-leg parlay, that's OK. But, as a straight up play, PASS.
UNDER 5.5 (+100) is the slight lean, but go with a half-unit play at best.
The total has gone low in each of the previous 2 meetings this season and is 6-2-1 in the past 9 in the series since Nov. 9, 2022.
Be careful, as the Over has cashed in 5 in a row for Washington. However, the Under is on a 7-game run for Pittsburgh, while going 8-1-1 across the previous 10 outings.
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