A rivalry match-up takes place on Friday night between the red-hot Washington Capitals and the ice-cold Pittsburgh Penguins. Welcome back to NHL predictions here on Last Word on Hockey! Each day, we take a look at the leagues upcoming games, providing predictions and analysis. Today’s prediction is for the matchup between Sidney Crosby and the Penguins vs Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals. Be sure to check out all the other predictions articles on Last Word on Hockey!
NHL Predictions
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Washington Capitals
2024-25 Head-to-Head: Penguins 0-0 Capitals
Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST); 4:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time (PST)
TV: Sportsnet+; ESPN+,
Getting into the middle of October, these two have diverged into two different situations. The Penguins older core of Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang have struggled to find their way into the playoffs. These issues have continued into this season, with the team sporting a 5-8-2 record. Meanwhile, long-time rival Alex Ovechkin and his Capitals are off to a hot 9-3 start. While the Penguins sit bottom ten in the league, the Capitals sit in the top ten.
The Penguins Story
The Penguins season has begun crashing downhill. The organization is 2-7-1 in their previous ten games. With the core group playing in each game, these results are incredibly disappointing for the older squad. Malkin and Crosby lead the team with 16 and 15 points, respectively. Head coach Mike Sullivan has been pairing them together along with Rickard Rakell on the top line. Goaltender Tristan Jarry is still in the AHL, having won four straight games as part of his excursion to the league. With the Penguins coming off a 5-1 thrashing from the Carolina Hurricanes, it is likely back-up Joel Blomqvist takes the start against the Capitals. The rookie goaltender has a tall task ahead of him as the Penguins are 31st in goals allowed in the league. They will have their hands full against a high-powered Capitals team. As always, make sure to check for the very latest lineup notes before locking in your fantasy starter.
The Capitals Story
Following an offseason of retooling, the Capitals have had an incredible start to the season. Captain Alex Ovechkin has led the team in goals with eight. However, the depth behind the legendary scorer has not let him down. The Capitals are led in scoring by former third-overall pick Dylan Strome. He has amassed 19 points on the season. Additionally, younger players like Connor McMichael and Aliaksei Protas have put up double digit points as well. While the Penguins have given up the second-highest goals in the league, the Capitals have scored the fourth most. This discrepancy between the franchises will be the difference maker in this contest. Logan Thompson is likely to start. He shouldn’t expect to face much action from a tired Penguins team coming into the second night of a back-to-back.
NHL Predictions Caps and Pens
The Pittsburgh Penguins are playing lazy, uninspired hockey. Their roster is slow and unfocused. Meanwhile, the Capitals are in the process of a renaissance for their roster, with veteran members like Ovechkin and John Carlson receiving support from younger roster members like McMichael and Rasmus Sandin. The discrepancy in talent between these rosters likely propels the Capitals to victory.
Prediction: Capitals win 6-2.
Prop Bets of the Night
With a rivalry match between the two, things could get heated quickly. Special teams will be a large factor in this game. The Penguins power play has been in the top half in the league, while the Capitals’ top unit features one of the greatest goal scorers of all-time. We would recommend Fanduel‘s over at seven goals at +186.
Main Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire – USA TODAY Sports
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