Capitals vs Lightning Prediction NHL Picks 2/22/24
The Washington Capitals will play the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Washington has won two games in a row, while Tampa Bay is on a two game losing streak. Let’s take a look at the betting matchup and the Capitals vs Lightning prediction.
Capitals Preview
The Washington Capitals are 25-21-8 this year after they defeated the Devils by a score of 6-2 in their last game. Washington was tied at one after the first period, but they scored the next four goals to pull away for the win. The Capitals were out shot by a total of 39-26 and went 1-1 on the power play in the game. Washington defeated Montreal by a score of 4-3 in the game prior to New Jersey, but lost to Colorado and Vancouver before that. The Capitals are scoring 2.48 goals per game and they are allowing 3.06 goals against per game, while going 16.3% on the power play and 80% on the penalty kill. Alex Ovechkin has led Washington with 16 goals, 25 assists, and 178 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Washington is Charlie Lindgren, who is 11-8-4 this year with a 2.62 goals against average and a .915 save percentage.
Lightning Preview
The Tampa Bay Lightning are 30-22-5 this season after they lost to Ottawa by a score of 4-2 in their last game. Tampa Bay trailed 3-0 in the second period and just couldn’t get back into the game. The Lightning were out shot by a total of 28-25 and went 1-1 on the penalty kill in the game. Tampa Bay lost to Florida by a score of 9-2 in the game prior to Ottawa, but they did win the previous three games. The Lightning are scoring 3.39 goals per game and they are allowing 3.39 goals against per game, while going 30.2% on the power play and 80% on the penalty kill. Nikita Kucherov has led Tampa Bay with 36 goals, 58 assists, and 234 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Tampa Bay is Andrei Vasilevskiy, who is 19-13-0 this year with a 2.95 goals against average and a .898 save percentage.
Tampa Bay Lightning Player Prop Facts
- Brayden Point has scored the last goal in each of the Lightning's last three home games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Brayden Point has scored at least one goal in each of the Lightning's last six home games.
- Brandon Hagel has recorded at least one point in each of the Lightning's last 10 games.
- Nikita Kucherov has recorded at least one assist in seven of the Lightning's last eight home games.
- Nikita Kucherov ranks 1st in the league for Points (94) this season.
Washington Capitals Player Prop Facts
- Alex Ovechkin has scored at least one goal in each of the Capitals' last six games as underdogs.
- Alex Ovechkin has recorded at least one point in each of the Capitals' last nine games.
- Nicklas Backstrom has recorded an assist in five of his last six appearances with his team as an underdog against the Lightning.
- John Carlson ranks 1st in the Eastern Conference for average time on ice (25:50) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Tampa Bay Lightning rank 1st in the league in power play percentage this season (30.23%).
- The Tampa Bay Lightning rank 7th in the league for goals per game this season (3.39).
- The Washington Capitals rank 30th in the league for goals per game this season (2.48).
- The Washington Capitals rank 25th in the league in power play percentage this season (16.33%).
Capitals vs Lightning Betting Prediction
Tampa Bay has been one of the best home teams so far this season, but they have lost two games in a row and have been out scored 13-4 in those two losses. The Lightning are 18-7-3 at home, while Washington is 11-12-3 on the road. Washington has been a very inconsistent team so far this season, but they are on a two game winning streak and their offense has looked better in recent games. I expect Tampa Bay to bounce back, as they have been great at home, but I have not liked what I have seen and I think we have some decent value on a Washington team that should have confidence. Take the Capitals on the road.
