Two clubs that could very well meet again in the Stanley Cup finals, the Washington Capitals and the Colorado Avalanche clash at the Pepsi Center. NBC Sports Washington will air this East-West matchup, and the puck drops at 9:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 13.
Washington Capitals at Colorado Avalanche Odds
Colorado (-125) is favored over Washington (+105) and the Over/Under (O/U) is placed at 7 goals. The odds for betting the total stand at -110 money on the over and -110 on the under at PointsBet Iowa Sportsbook.
Washington is 36-20 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 4.8 units this year. 36 of its contests have gone over the total, while 18 have gone under and just two have pushed. The Caps are 20-7 SU on the road in 2019-20.
Washington has converted on 20.3 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked second overall, and the team’s successfully killed off a whopping 84.2 percent of all penalties.
For the team as a whole, Washington has been sent to the penalty box 4.2 times per game this season, 4.6 per game over its last five matchups total, and 4.4 per game over its last five on the road. The team has been forced to kill penalties 12.0 minutes per contest over their last five road games.
Averaging 25.2 saves per game with a .894 save percentage, Braden Holtby (21-17-4) has been the primary option in goal for Washington this season. If head coach Todd Reirden decides to rest him, however, the team might turn to Ilya Samsonov (16-7-1), who has a .917 save percentage and 2.38 goals against average this year.
The visiting Capitals have relied on John Carlson and Alex Ovechkin heavily this year. Carlson has 67 points via 15 goals and 52 assists, and has recorded multiple points 21 times. Ovechkin has 40 goals and 17 assists to his creditand has notched a point in 33 games.
On the other bench, Colorado is 33-22 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 5.8 units this season. 28 of its matches have gone over the total, while 25 have gone under and just two have pushed. It’s 15-11 SU at home this year.
Colorado has converted on 19.4 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 21st overall, and it’s successfully killed off 78.4 percent of all opponent power plays.
Colorado players have been penalized 3.7 times per game this season, 3.4 per game over their past five match ups total, and 3.2 per game over their last five home outings. The team’s been forced to kill penalties just 7.4 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Philipp Grubauer has denied 27.3 shots per game as the primary selection in the crease for Colorado. Grubauer has 19 wins, 15 losses, and four OT losses and has maintained a .915 save percentage and 2.64 goals against average this year.
The home team offense will be led by Nathan MacKinnon (32 goals, 46 assists).
Washington Capitals vs. Colorado Avalanche Betting Predictions
Free NHL Pick: SU Winner – Avalanche, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
Washington (3-2 in shootouts) has more shootout experience coming into this one. Colorado fell short in its one shootout this season.
The total has gone under in four of Colorado’s last five games.
Colorado’s attempted 32.9 shots per contest overall this season (the seventh-most in the NHL), and 36.4 in their last five home games.
Colorado has allowed 2.8 goals per game overall this season, but has driven that figure down to 1.0 per match up on its five-game winning streak.
Over Washington’s last ten games, eight of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 6-2 in those games).
Washington skaters have accounted for the sixth-most hits in the league (24.4 per game).