Capitals vs Lightning Prediction, Odds and ATS Picks
The Tampa Bay Lightning are the favorite in the NHL odds despite losing their last two games, but we expect them to recover Thursday night when the Washington Capitals pay a visit.
The Lightning were rolling 11-3-0 after the midpoint of the season before getting blitzed 9-2 on Saturday by Florida and shocked 4-2 by Ottawa two days later. Tampa Bay had won eight in a row at home before the two defeats at Amalie Arena.
Nikita Kucherov, who leads the league with 94 points, was held without a shot versus Ottawa to end a 10-game point streak. Meanwhile, Alexander Ovechkin had two goals to extend his point streak to nine games for Washington in a 6-2 win over New Jersey on Tuesday.
The Capitals have turned things around with a 3-1-1 stretch after losing six straight (0-5-1). Washington has crept back within six points of an Eastern Conference playoff spot.
Capitals vs Lightning Game Information
- Game: Capitals (25-21-8) vs Lightning (30-22-5)
- Location: Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL
- Day/Time: Thursday, Feb. 22, 7:00 p.m. ET
- Capitals vs Lightning Live Streaming:NHL.com
The Lightning are a favorite in our NHL starting lines to snap a two-game slide when they host the revived Capitals. Tampa Bay has won three in a row and six of the last eight meetings with Washington, including a 2-1 shootout victory in D.C. on Dec. 23. The Lightning are 18-7-3 at home and have won four straight against the Capitals at Amalie Arena, while Washington is 11-12-3 on the road.
You can stream the Capitals vs Lightning game on NHL.com on Thursday, Feb. 22, at 7:00 pm ET.
Capitals vs Lightning Spreads and Odds
Capitals vs Lightning Betting Trends
- The over is 6-4 in the past 10 Lightning contests and 26-28-3 on the season at the sportsbook.
- Over bettors are 7-2-1 In the last 10 Capitals games, but 23-29-2 on the season.
- Tampa Bay left wing Brandon Hagel boasts a 10-game point streak with eight goals and 11 assists.
- Washington center Dylan Strome has registered four goals and four assists in his last eight contests.
- The Lightning are 51-12 in their last 63 home games versus a team with a losing record on the road.
- The Capitals are 6-1 in their last seven contests as an underdog of +151 to +200.
- The under is 8-1 in the last nine Lightning games after two days of rest.
- The over is 4-1-1 in Washington’s last six road games and 5-1 in Tampa Bay’s past six home contests.
Capitals vs Lightning Over/Under Pick: Under ½ (-115)
Both teams have shown the ability to keep the score down and, in a very important game, we expect a playoff-style effort on defense.
Capitals vs Lightning ATS Pick: Lightning -1½ (+130)
The expectation was that Tampa Bay would rebound on Monday against Ottawa, but after another rough night, we think the Lightning will score a key multi-goal win if you bet online.
Capitals vs Lightning Player Prop: Anthony Cirelli Anytime Goalscorer (+240)
Tampa Bay’s solid two-way center has 14 points in his last 13 games and is expected to open the game playing on a line with Kucherov.
Capitals vs Lightning Prediction
Questions Of The Day
Will Brayden Point extend his goal-scoring streak to four games for the Lightning?
No. Coach Jon Cooper scrambled the lines yesterday at practice. Point likely won’t start the game centering Kucherov and Steven Stamkos.
Can the Capitals keep Tampa Bay to two goals or less?
No. Washington started the season strong on the defensive end but has dropped to 15th in goals-against (3.08 per game).
