The Washington Capitals (7-5-1) face the Pittsburgh Penguins (8-4-2) Thursday. Puck drop from PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is set for 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Capitals vs. Penguins odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
2024-25 season series: Tied 2-2
The Caps embarrassed the St. Louis Blues 6-1 Wednesday night as -140 favorites. LW Alex Ovechkin became the first player in history to score 900 goals. RW Tom Wilson scored 2 goals to give him 8 on the season. The win snapped a 4-game slide in which the team scored 5 goals combined. Their calling card is goaltending as they are tops in the league at 2.23 goals allowed per game.
The Pens have dropped 2 straight after a 4-3 loss at the Toronto Maple Leafs as +158 dogs Monday. Pittsburgh was up 3-0, and the Leafs scored 4 straight goals in the third period to steal it. D Erik Karlsson scored his first goal of the season. The Pens return home from a 4-game road trip where they went 1-2-1. They’re 3-1-1 at home.
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 at 2:57 p.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Capitals -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | Penguins -105 (bet $105 to win $100)Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Capitals -1.5 (+200) | Penguins +1.5 (-250)Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)Capitals at Penguins projected goalies
Charlie Lindgren (1-2-1, 3.47 GAA, .880 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Arturs Silovs (3-2-2, 2.66 GAA, .913 SV%, 1 SO)
Lindgren has allowed 11 goals in 4 starts this season, and they’ve all come in his last 3 starts. He allowed 3 goals on 24 shots in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Buffalo Sabres Saturday. He lost to the Pens in his only meeting against them last season, stopping 28 of 31.
Silovs allowed 4 goals in a 5-2 loss to Winnipeg Saturday, stopping 29 of 33. His play has been inconsistent after a shutout of the New York Rangers opening night. He has allowed 4+ goals in 3 of 6 starts since. Silovs hasn’t faced the Caps in his young career.
Capitals at Penguins picks and predictionsPrediction
Penguins 3, Capitals 2
I give the edge to PENGUINS (-105) at home. If Logan Thompson were in net for Washington, I would probably lean that way. He played Wednesday night, though, and I’m a little surprised the Caps are favored on a back-to-back on the road.
PASS, there’s no play here.
I’m a big fan of UNDER 6.5 (-120). The Pens’ goalie issues concern me, but Washington, outside of Wednesday, hasn’t been finding the back of the net. The Pens are also good defensively, ranking eighth at 2.71 goals allowed per game.
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