Two teams currently on winning streaks, the Washington Capitals and the Anaheim Ducks take the ice at the Honda Center for an East-West tilt. NBC Sports Network will broadcast the game, and the opening face-off takes place at 10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 6.
Washington Capitals at Anaheim Ducks Odds
Washington (+120) is entering this one as the underdog to Anaheim (-140) and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals (-110 for the over, -110 for the under).
Washington is 37-28 straight up (SU) and has earned 4.1 units for moneyline bettors this season. 38 of its contests have gone over the total, while 26 have gone under and just one has pushed. The Caps are 14-17 SU on the road in 2017-18.
Washington has converted on 22.5 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that places them in the top-5 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 18th out of 31 teams, and it’s successfully killed off 79.8 percent of its penalties.
The Caps, as a collective unit, have been penalized 4.2 times per game this season, and 5.4 per game over its last five on the road. The team’s had to kill penalties a whopping 14.0 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Averaging 28.2 saves per game with a .908 save percentage, Braden Holtby (29-18-4) has been the primary option in goal for Washington this year. If it decides to give him a rest, however, Washington could turn to Philipp Grubauer (8-16-3), who has a .922 save percentage and 2.43 goals against average this year.
Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov will both spearhead the attack for the visiting Capitals. Ovechkin has 72 points via 40 goals and 32 assists, and has recorded multiple points 19 times. Kuznetsov has 20 goals and 44 assists to his creditand has notched a point in 39 games.
Anaheim is 33-33 straight up (SU) and has lost 1.6 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 66 regular season outings, 40 of its games have gone under the total, while 25 have gone over and just one has pushed. This year, the team’s 18-14 SU at home.
The Ducks have converted on just 18.0 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that places them in the bottom 10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked fifth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.9 percent of all opponent power plays.
Ducks skaters have been penalized 4.4 times per game in total this season, and 3.8 per game over their last five at home. The team’s had to kill penalties 8.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
John Gibson has stopped 29.6 shots per game as the top netminder in goal for the Ducks. Gibson has 25 wins, 23 losses, and seven OT losses and has maintained a 2.51 goals against average and a .925 save percentage this year.
The Ducks offense will be led by Rickard Rakell (27 goals, 27 assists).
Washington Capitals at Anaheim Ducks Betting Predictions
Prediction: SU Winner – Capitals, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
Three of Anaheim’s last ten games have ended in a shootout. The team is 1-2 in those games and 4-7 overall in shootouts this year.
The total has gone over in three of Anaheim’s last five games.
Five of Anaheim’s last ten games have been decided by two or more goals. The team is 4-1 overall in those games.
The Ducks this season have registered the fifth-most hits per game (24.3).
