Capitals vs. Flames prediction: NHL odds, picks, best bets
The Washington Capitals have been written off time and again this season, but they just won’t go away.
After dropping the first two games of their Western road trip, the Capitals essentially needed to sweep the remaining three contests to remain in the playoff race in the Eastern Conference.
Washington is two-thirds of the way to pulling off that feat after wins in Seattle and Vancouver on Thursday and Saturday, respectively.
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The wins, coupled with some cooperation from the out-of-town scoreboard, meant the Capitals woke up Sunday morning just one point behind the Detroit Red Wings for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and just three back of Philadelphia (with two games in hand) for the No. 3 seed in the Metropolitan Division.
It’s a splendid story, as the Capitals were friendless in the betting market before the season started, but there are reasons to be skeptical of Washington’s surprising run of form.
The most glaring red flag is Washington’s -30 goal differential through 66 games. Furthermore, no team in the Eastern Conference has scored fewer goals than the Capitals this season.
So how does a team with such a poor goal differential sit seven games above NHL .500?
Washington is 10-2 in one-goal games and 21-3-4 when they score first.
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The Capitals wants to keep things tidy and predictable every time they step on the ice because they believe they can win tight contests.
I’d expect that’s how Monday’s contest in Calgary plays out, as the Flames are built in a similar fashion.
THE PLAY: Capitals-Flames Under 6 (-105, DraftKings).
