Liontips
Washington vs. Pittsburgh: NHL Match Prediction
The main confrontation in the NHL capital division will take place on November 9 in the US capital. Alexander Ovechkin will once again meet Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin on the ice of Capital One Arena. This season, Pittsburgh is considered one of the main outsiders of the conference, while the Capitals have gained incredible momentum and are attracting more and more public attention to themselves. Of course, the main star of the league at the moment is the captain of Washington. The "Great 8" has scored eight goals in the new season and has scored in five games in a row. How will the legends of Russian hockey play this time? Read our forecast for the match
Command Analysis
Washington Capitals
USACurrent form
The team from the US capital had a great start to the current season and is still among the leaders of the Eastern Conference. Alexander Ovechkin team earned 18 points in 11 starts and currently occupies the fifth line in the East. Washington has gained excellent form and lost only three games in the regular season. Spencer Carbery charges played a series of games on their home court after an away defeat in Tampa (0:3). The Capitals confidently dealt with the Rangers (5:3), Montreal (6:3) and Columbus (7:2), but then were unable to take points from Raleigh (2:4). After returning home, the Washington Capitals beat Nashville in their home stadium (3:2).
The home team offense continues to impress with its high scoring performance in the absence of Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie. The Capitals score 4.08 goals per game on average, and the club top scorer remains Canadian Dylan Strome. The forward scored 19 goals (4+15), but assisted more. Washington leading sniper, Alexander Ovechkin, is in excellent shape and continues to chase the NHL record. The "Great 8" is receiving special attention, as he continues to chase Wayne Gretzky sniper record. The Russian has scored in five games in a row and has 16 points (8+8).
As for the goaltending line, the Capitals do not yet have a clear number one. Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren are fighting for the right to be the main goalie for the "lice". So far, the two of them have reflected only 89.5% of the shots.
Disqualifications and injuries
Jakob Chychrun, Nicklas Backstrom, Matt Roy and T.J. Oshie will be out against Pittsburgh.
Interesting trends for betting
- Washington takes 30 shots on goal
The Caps are playing great offensively and are shooting 13.5 percent on their shots.
- The Capitals are averaging 9.42 penalty minutes per game.
The Capitals concede after penalties in 14.6% of cases.
Pittsburgh Penguins
USACurrent form
Pittsburgh has shown a weak game at the start of the new season and is among the outsiders of the Eastern Conference. Mike Sullivan charges have earned only 12 points in 15 starts and occupy 14th place. The Penguins did not start November so badly and after a defeat to Minnesota (3:5) they dealt with Anaheim (2:1, OT) and Montreal (3:1) at home. The current away game can hardly be called successful. The Petes did not finish off the Islanders in New York (3:4, B), and the day before they were routed by Carolina in Raleigh (1:5). The Penguins conceded five unanswered goals and were able to score a consolation goal only in the third period. To date, the visitors have only five victories. All of them were won over clubs from the lower part of the standings.
The Pennsylvania club is by far the worst defensive team in the East. Pittsburgh is allowing 3.93 goals per game, and goalies Alex Nedeljkovic and Joel Blomqvist are not helping their teammates. Tristan Jarry has failed this fall and is out of the visiting team altogether.
Sidney Crosby (6+9) and Evgeni Malkin (4+12) carry the Penguins' offense on their shoulders. The Pens generally look good up front and score 2.8 goals per game. Rickard Rakell is trying his best to help the team veterans, but so far it hasn't worked out too well.
Disqualifications and injuries
Matt Nieto and Bryan Rust will be out for the team in the capital, while Kevin Hayes is questionable.
Interesting trends for betting
- Pittsburgh opponents are averaging 32 shots on goal against the Penguins.
The visiting team goalies played poorly in October and early November, stopping 87.8% of shots aimed at their own area.
- The Petes are earning 7.13 penalty minutes per game.
The visitors play well in the minority and “kill” 85.4% of penalties.
Trends
Bet 1st period: total over 1.5 goals
In four of Washington previous five games , the first period was productive.
1.67Bet 2nd period: Washington will score
Washington has scored in the second period in every home game this season.
1.35Tip and bets
Washington demonstrates very strong hockey on their home ice and lost only in their debut game in the US capital. Alexander Ovechkin team is in excellent shape, and the captain himself is the club best sniper and scores in almost every match. Pittsburgh continues to lose and plays poorly in defense. The visitors' offense relies solely on veterans in the persons of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, who are not always capable of winning matches on their own. We do not think that the Penguins will be able to score points in the US capital this time. We offer a bet on the hosts' victory in regular time.
Prediction - Washington win for 1.92
Bet on individual total
Washington was very good in October in terms of converting chances, especially on home ice. It was in the capital that Alexander Ovechkin team scored 37 goals in eight games, which is almost five goals per game. Now the Capitals will play against the weakest defense in the East, which allows 3.93 goals per game. We believe that the hosts will easily open up the Pens' defense.
We bet on Washington individual total of more than three goals for 1.70
Total Bet
The games in the US capital are extremely productive. Only two games out of eight this season on the ice of Capital One Arena have not seen at least six goals scored. Washington is very good in attack now, but the hosts make quite a lot of mistakes in defense. We don’t think the game will be boring. Let’s bet on the total over.
We take the total over 5.5 pucks with a coefficient of 1.68
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