Washington Capitals vs Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction, 1/2/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds
Game: Washington Capitals vs Pittsburgh Penguins
Date: Tuesday, January 2, 2024
Location: PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA
TV: ESPN+/Hulu
Odds/Point Spread: Capitals (+150) Penguins (-186)
The Washington Capitals (17-11-6) are headed to PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday where they will go up against the Pittsburgh Penguins (18-13-4). The moneyline on this matchup has Washington at +150 while Pittsburgh is at -186. The over/under comes in at 7.
The Washington Capitals had a decent effort after finishing in a 2-2 tie against the Predators their last time out. Washington garnered 11 penalty mins for this contest. Moreover, they had 3 chances with extra men on the ice but weren't able to score a goal. The Capitals had a rough night on the offensive side of the ice in this game. In the outing, they scored on 2 of the 29 shots they put on goal.
Washington Capitals opponents have totaled 106 power play opportunities (27th in the NHL) and have scored 19 goals in those attempts. The Capitals have had 1,051 shots taken against them and have a save percentage of .910. Washington has taken 955 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 8.2%. While at even strength, the Capitals have allowed the opponent to score 76 goals while getting 67 on offense. Washington steps onto the ice with 96 power play opportunities and they have scored 11 goals out of those chances, giving them a rate of 11.46%. For the current campaign, they have earned 40 points and their points percentage sits at .588. Pertaining to scoring goals, the Washington Capitals have notched 78 goals (31st in the NHL) over the course of the season and have allowed 95.
The player protecting the goal in this game is Darcy Kuemper. During his career on the ice, Kuemper is sitting with 195 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .549. His save percentage is .915 in his 21,127 mins between the pipes. Kuemper has seen 10,667 shot attempts against him and has accrued 9,760 saves. Opponents have tallied 907 goals versus Kuemper in his career and his goals against average is 2.58. He has accumulated a win-loss record of 173-129-45 and was named the starter in 355 games. Kuemper has played in 374 contests over the course of his NHL career.
In their last contest, Pittsburgh opposed the Islanders in an outing where the Penguins got the victory by a mark of 3-1. They had 4 power play opportunities in this one but were not able to net one. The Penguins converted 3 goals out of the 38 shots on goal they attempted.
The Penguins have scored 90 goals at even strength and 15 goals (26th in hockey) while having a power play advantage. Pittsburgh has taken 1,154 shots (8th in pro hockey) and has a shot percentage of 9.10%, while allowing the other team 1,077 shots. So far this season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have accumulated 105 goals, 40 points, as well as a points percentage of .571. They have granted a total of 92 goals to be scored by way of 73 goals at even strength and 19 goals while they were shorthanded. They have earned 112 power play opportunities and they have earned a power play percentage of 13.39%. They have recorded a penalty kill percentage of 82.88% on their oppositions 111 tries on the power play, and their save percentage comes in at 91.5%.
On the other side of the ice you are likely to see Tristan Jarry in goal. Jarry has a lifetime record of 128-71-22 and has been in goal for 230 games. Jarry's quality start percentage is 60.8% and he has earned 135 quality starting assignments in his professional career. He has compiled 6,067 stops out of the 6,639 shots taken against him, which gives him a rate of .914. Teams are averaging 2.63 goals per game and he has surrendered 572 goals altogether. He has started in 222 games and has played 13,057 minutes.
Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?
Guy's Pick: Take Washington (+150)
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