Capital One Arena is playing host an East-West clash as the Dallas Stars visit the U.S. capital to meet the Washington Capitals. It’s the last time that the two clubs will go at it in the regular season. The action will get underway at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 20, and it’s being shown live on Fox Sports Southwest Plus.
Dallas Stars at Washington Capitals Odds
With a moneyline of -150, Washington heads into the matchup as the heavy favorite. The line for Dallas sits at +130. The Over/Under (O/U), set at 6 goals, originally opened at -130 for the over and +110 for the under. That line has moved since then, and it presently sits at -125 to bet the over, +105 for the under.
Netting moneyline bettors 5.4 units, Washington is 41-31 straight up (SU) overall in the 2017-18 season. That winning percentage, ranked 1st in the Metropolitan Division in this young season, is a regression from the 55-27 record that the team managed during the 2016-17 season campaign. Through 72 regular season matches, 41 of its games have gone over the total, while 30 have gone under and just one has pushed. This year, the team is 25-11 SU at home.
The Capitals have been able to convert on 22.5 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that’s good enough for fifth-best in the league. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated 20th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 79.7 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, the Capitals have been penalized 4.1 times per game overall this season, 3.8 per game over their last five games total, and 4.2 per game over their last five at home. The team’s had to kill penalties for 8.5 minutes per game over their last 10 outings, in total.
Averaging 27.6 saves per game with a .906 save percentage, Braden Holtby (30 wins, 19 losses, and four OT losses) has been the primary option in goal for Washington this year. If Washington decides to give him the evening off, however, the team could turn to Philipp Grubauer (11-19-19 record, .922 save percentage, 2.37 goals against average).
The Caps will continue to lean on the offensive production from Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Ovechkin (78 points) is up to 43 goals and 35 assists and has recorded two or more points in 20 different games this year. Kuznetsov has 21 goals and 50 assists to his credit and has recorded at least one point in 42 contests.
Dallas is 38-35 straight up (SU) and has lost 9.6 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 73 regular season matches, 37 of its games have gone over the total, while 34 have gone under and just two have pushed. As an away team, the Stars are 14-22 SU.
The Stars have converted on 20.5 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 12th overall and it’s successfully killed off 81.9 percent of all penalties.
Dallas’ skaters have been called for penalties 4.3 times per game in total this season, 4.4 per game over their past five games total, and 4.4 per game over their last five on the road. The team’s been forced to kill penalties 11.4 minutes per contest over their last five road games.
Ben Bishop (2.49 goals against average and .916 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Dallas. Bishop is averaging 24.8 saves per game and has 26 wins, 27 losses, and six OT losses to his credit.
Tyler Seguin (38 goals, 31 assists) and Jamie Benn (26 goals, 40 assists) have been standout playmakers for Dallas and will pace the offensive attack for the visiting Stars.
Dallas Stars at Washington Capitals Free Picks
Pick: SU Winner – Stars, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
Four of Dallas’ last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 0-4 in those games.
Dallas has allowed 2.7 goals per game overall this season, but has allowed 4.0 goals per matchup over its last five games (0-5 SU over that span).
Penalties and power plays could prove to be even more critical than usual in tonight’s matchup. The Stars are 14-13 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 22-18 when they’re in the penalty box for fewer than 10 total minutes. The Capitals are 14-8 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 23-15 when they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.
Washington is 3-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Dallas is 4-3 in shootouts.
The total has gone over in three of Washington’s last five games.
Washington skaters have averaged 10.9 giveaways per game (ranked 26th overall).
Dallas has averaged 8.8 giveaways over its last five home games, right in line with its season average of 8.5 giveaways per game (ranked 10th).
Dallas skaters have accounted for the ninth-most hits in the league (22.8 per game).
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