Pittsburgh Penguins vs Washington Capitals Prediction 3-7-24 Picks

Washington Capitals (28-23-9) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (28-24-8)
March 7, 2024 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: Pittsburgh Penguins -179 / Washington Capitals +144; Over/Under: +6.5
(Get latest betting odds)

The Washington Capitals look for a win after splitting their last 6 games. The Pittsburgh Penguins look for a win after splitting their last 10 games. Here’s a Washington Capitals vs Pittsburgh Penguins prediction.

Washington Capitals Betting Preview

The Washington Capitals recently beat the Flyers while losing to the Red Wings and Coyotes. The Washington Capitals are averaging 2.62 goals per game and are scoring on 18.8 percent of their power play opportunities. Dylan Strome leads Washington with 22 goals, John Carlson has 30 assists and Alex Ovechkin has 203 shots on goal. Defensively, the Washington Capitals are allowing 3.15 goals per game and are killing 79.4 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Darcy Kuemper has given up 89 goals on 833 shots faced, and Charlie Lindgren has allowed 81 goals on 862 shots.

Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Penguins recently beat the Blue Jackets while losing to the Flames and Oilers. The Pittsburgh Penguins are averaging 2.95 goals per game and are scoring on 15.4 percent of their power play opportunities. Sidney Crosby leads Pittsburgh with 32 goals, Erik Karlsson has 35 assists, and Jake Guentzel has 185 shots on goal. Defensively, the Pittsburgh Penguins are allowing 2.78 goals per game and are killing 82.3 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Tristan Jarry has allowed 102 goals on 1,135 shots faced, and Alex Nedelijkovic has given up 54 goals on 602 shots.

Pittsburgh Penguins Team Facts

• The underdogs have won four of the last five games between the Capitals and Penguins at PPG Paints Arena.
• The road team has covered the puck line in each of the last eight games between the Capitals and Penguins.
• The ‘Over 2.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in seven of the last nine games between the Capitals and Penguins at PPG Paints Arena.
• The Penguins have won the third period in each of their last six games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.

Washington Capitals Team Facts

• The underdogs have won four of the Capitals’ last five games at PPG Paints Arena.
• The Capitals have covered the puck line in eight of their last nine games against the Penguins at PPG Paints Arena.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Capitals’ last 10 night games at PPG Paints Arena.
• The Capitals have lost the second period in each of their last six night games following a home loss.

Washington Capitals vs Pittsburgh Penguins prediction

Both the Penguins and Capitals have underachieved up to this point, and they’re wildly inconstant. I never know which Penguins or Capitals team is going to show up from night to night. The Penguins should get the benefit of the doubt because they’re at home. However, the underdog usually holds the value in a rivalry, and it’s the road team that’s won 7 of the last 10 meetings between the Penguins and Capitals. The Capitals also beat the Penguins in early January, cashing a nice +160 ticket. I’ll take a stab with the Capitals and the more favorable price. Road teams and underdogs have thrived when the Caps and Penguins meet.