Edmonton Oilers vs. Washington Capitals Prediction, Preview, and Odds

The Edmonton Oilers (5-12-1, 11 points, 7th Pacific) visit the nation's capital on Friday to play the Washington Capitals (10-4-2. 22 points, 2nd Metro). Edmonton was defeated by the Carolina Hurricanes 6-3 on Wednesday night, allowing four goals over a span of just 5:31 during the first period. The Oilers have lost three straight. Washington defeated the Buffalo Sabres 4-3 in overtime for their fifth consecutive victory. Edmonton will play without LW Dylan Holloway and RW Brady Stonehouse. Washington will play without D Martin Fehervary, LW Max Pacioretty and C Nikolas Backstrom 

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Edmonton needs more scoring as they are giving up far too many

Edmonton is scoring an average of 2.94 which is 21st in the NHL while taking an average of 34 shots per game which is 4th. Edmonton wins 49.4% of its face-offs which is 22nd and its power play scores 21.7% of the time which is 12th best. Zach Hyman is the leading goal scorer for Edmonton with 10 and Evander Kane has scored eight goals. The leader in assists is Leon Draisailtl with 17 and the center is the points leader with 23, while Evan Bouchard is second with 18. Connor McDavid has six goals and 10 assists which is well below his average from last season through the same number of games.

Edmonton has a goals against average of 4.00, which is 30th in the NHL. The Oilers are 29.4 shots per game which is 9th lowest. Edmonton has a very poor penalty kill unit holding opponents scoreless only 72.7% of the time the Oilers are short-handed. Edmonton goalie Stuart Skinner is 4-7-1 with a 3.66 goals against average and .865 save percentage, while Calvin Pickard is 0-1-0 with a 2.94 goals against average and .891 save percentage

Capitals must find a way to score more

Washington is averaging only 2.56 goals per game which is 31st or next to last in hockey. Washington is averaging 29.1 shots per game which is 27th and is winning only 45.5% of its face offs, which is 29th. Washington's power play is the worst in hockey, scoring only 7% of the time the Caps have the man advantage. Dylan Strome is the leading goal scorer for Washington with eight and Alex Ovechkin is second with five. John Carlson is the leader in assists with 10 and Ovechkin is the points leader with 12 while Carlson has 11.

Washington is tough in goal, with a goals against average of 2.69, which is sixth best in the NHL. The Capitals are allowing an average of 30.5 shots per game which is 17th and Washington's penalty kill unit holds opponents scoreless 84.4% of the time the Capitals are short-handed which is 11th. Darcy Kuemper is 4-3-2 with a 3.04 goals against average and .892 save percentage.

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The Edmonton Oilers are struggling when it comes to putting the puck in the net with an average of 2.94 goals scored per game and at the same time the Oilers are allowing far too many goals at 4.00 goals per game. Washington does not score that many goals averaging 2.56 per game but the Capitals are allowing an average of only 2.69 goals per game which is the sixth fewest in hockey. Edmonton has struggled early this season in goal and Stuart Skinner has a 3.66 goals against average while his backup Calvin Pickard is slightly better at 2.94 but has only made two appearances since joining the club. Edmonton has lost 15 of its last 20 games and on the road the Oilers are 1-7 over the last eight. Washington has won five of its last six on its home ice against Edmonton. The Capitals are riding a five-game winning streak and have won four of the last five at home

Prediction: Washington Capitals

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Edmonton is scoring just 2.94 goals per game and Washington scores even less at 2.56, while at the same time Washington is allowing an average of just 2.69 goals per game. The total has finished under in seven of Washington's last 10 games. Washington will use plenty of four checking and physical play in the neutral zone to lower the number of odd man rushes for Edmonton and therefore help to keep the game low scoring which favors them and the under.

Prediction: UNDER

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