Capitals vs Panthers Prediction, Odds, ATS Pick

The Florida Panthers might be a good team to have in your NHL spread picks for Saturday night when they play host to the suddenly revived Washington Capitals.

Florida lost for the first time in 12 road contests Thursday, a 1-0 setback at Carolina that saw its six-game winning streak end. The Panthers have still won 10 of their last 12 and own an eight-game winning streak over the Caps – two this season.

Forward Matthew Tkachuk and defenseman Gustav Forsling missed the final two periods for Florida with undisclosed injuries, but the Panthers still registered 44 shots on net and had a goal overturned by an offside call. The key players are questionable.

Washington faded during an 0-5-1 stretch, but has rebounded to gain points in five of the last six (4-1-1) after winning at Tampa Bay 5-3 on Thursday. The Capitals are back within five points of a playoff spot with three games in hand.

Florida is a co-favorite to win the Eastern Conference at +450 in the Las Vegas hockey odds while Washington is +8000.

Capitals vs Panthers Game Information

1. Game: Capitals (26-21-8) vs Panthers (37-16-4)
2. Location: Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, Fla.
3. Day/Time: Saturday, Feb. 24, 6 p.m. ET
4. Capitals vs Panthers Live Streaming:NHL.com

The Panthers are the favorite in the NHL lines as they try to beat the visiting Capitals for the ninth straight time on Saturday. The over is 5-1-1 in the last seven meetings, although Florida’s 4-2 win on Feb. 8 at home was a push. The Panthers are 17-8-2 on home ice while Washington is 12-12-3 on the road after three straight wins.

Capitals vs Panthers Spreads and Odds

Capitals vs Panthers Trends

1. Over bettors are 4-0 in Washington’s last four games, but 24-29-2 on the season at the sportsbook.
2. The under is 36-20-1 this season when the Panthers play, including 3-1 in the past four contests.
3. Capitals center Dylan Strome boasts six points in his last three outings and 41 on the season – second on the team.
4. Florida goalie Sergei Bobrovsky has allowed just nine goals while going 5-1-0 in his last six appearances.
5. Washington has hit the first period moneyline in just 31 of its last 78 games.
6. The Panthers are 5-1-0 in the last six games playing on one day of rest.
7. Under bettors are 12-3 in the Capitals’ last 15 Saturday contests.
8. The under is 5-1-1 in Florida’s last seven matchups with Metropolitan Division foes.

Capitals vs Panthers Over/Under Pick: Over 6½ (+105)

Washington’s offense has picked it up of late with some help from Connor McMichael (five goals, four games), Strome and Alex Ovechkin (14 points, 10 games). It won’t help if Tkachuk can’t play, but we expect some goals to be scored.

Capitals vs Panthers Pick ATS: Panthers -1½ (-105)

Tkachuk and Forsling are important players, but Washington will likely be without forward T.J. Oshie after he suffered a non-contact injury on Thursday. The Panthers have played well enough without key players this season to keep them in your NHL ATS picks.

Capitals vs Panthers Moneyline Pick: Panthers (-240)

The Panthers have dominated Washington of late and Florida’s Sam Reinhart is due after sitting on 39 goals for five consecutive games.

Capitals vs Panthers Player Prop: Aleksander Barkov 2+ points (+158)

Florida’s No. 1 center boasts 26 points with a +15 rating in 23 career regular-season games versus Washington.

Capitals vs Panthers Prediction

Panthers 5, Capitals 3: While both teams have the ability to make this a 2-1 nailbiter, we think this could be a Saturday shootout. Carter Verhaeghe has four goals in four games for Florida and Anthony Mantha has picked it up for Washington with five points in the same span to go along with the other weapons.

Questions of the Day

Which team has the best power play?

Will Alexander Overchkin extend his point streak to 11 games?