The Nashville Predators and Washington Capitals meet on Friday night, with both teams coming into this matchup on a winning note. With the Predators and Capitals both playing on back-to-back nights, we have a potential battle of backup goalies taking center stage. Both teams grind out the season with the post-season in mind.
We’ll review the trends, stats, and odds to find the best Predators vs Capitals best bets on the NHL schedule today.
Nashville Predators vs. Washington Capitals Information
Nashville Predators (17-14-6) vs. Washington Capitals (22-13-6)
Location of the game: Capital One Arena, Washington, DC
Time: Friday, January 6th, 2022, 7:00 p.m. ET
How to watch: NHLPP | ESPN+ | Regional Broadcast Partners
Last Game Record
This is the second and final game between the Nashville Predators and the Washington Capitals in the 2022-23 NHL season. The Capitals won the first game 3-0 back on October 29th in Nashville.
Darcy Kuemper recorded a 34-save shutout in the first matchup, while Beck Malenstyn, Aliaksei Protas, and Alex Ovechkin scored for the Capitals. Juuse Saros made 32 saves in a losing effort for the Predators.
Both teams are playing on back-to-back nights and are coming off wins against dramatically different opponents. Nashville defeated the Metropolitan-leading Carolina Hurricanes 5-3. Washington easily defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets, who are one of the worst teams in the NHL standings.
Nashville Predators vs. Washington Capitals Analysis
Predators Analysis
The Nashville Predators enter Friday night’s matchup ranked sixth in the Central Division with a 17-14-6 record. The Predators have won their last two games and three of the last four.
In their last five games, the Predators hit the over in four games, while three games ended in at least a 1.50-goal spread. Nashville is 5-0 in the last five games against Metropolitan Division competition, while the over is 4-1 in the last five games after a Predators win.
Nashville Stats
According to NHL stats, Nashville is among the worst teams offensively, ranking 27th and averaging 2.8 goals per game. The Predators’ powerplay is ranked 28th overall, converting on 18.3% of their chances.
Defensively, Nashville is in the middle of the league, ranked 15th and giving up an average of 3.0 goals per game. The penalty kill is ranked 15th and operates at 78.9% efficiency.
According to Nashville Predators stats, Filip Forsberg is the leading scorer with 34 points (15 goals, 19 assists).
Juuse Saros (14-10-5, 2.77 GAA, .918 SV%) has started the last two games and nine of the last ten games for the Predators. We expect Kevin Lankinen (3-4-0, 2.91 GAA, .916 SV%) to be Nashville’s starting goalie on Friday night.
Capitals Analysis
The Washington Capitals are tied for third in the Central Division with the New York Rangers and one point behind the New Jersey Devils for second place, with a 22-13-6 record.
The Capitals have alternated wins and losses, winning three of their last five games, but have won seven of the last ten games overall. In their last five games, the Capitals have hit the over in their last four games, while three games – all wins – ended in at least a 1.5-goal spread. However, two of those wins were against the aforementioned Blue Jackets and the Montreal Canadiens.
The under is 5-0-1 when the Capitals are playing on back-to-back nights, while the over is 4-0 in the last four meetings in Washington and 13-3-1 in the last 17 overall.
Capitals Stats
The Capitals’ statistical splits are very promising for Washington’s push to the post-season. The Capitals are ranked 10th in the NHL, averaging 3.3 goals per game. Washington’s powerplay is ranked 16th and converting at 22.9%.
Defensively, Washinton is ranked ninth, giving up an average of 2.8 goals per game, while the penalty-killing unit is ranked 11th and operating at 81% efficiency.
Alex Ovechkin leads the Capitals in NHL player stats with 48 points (29 goals, 19 assists).
Washington has a notable NHL injury report with T.J. Oshie listed as day-to-day, while notable names Tom Wilson, Nicklas Backstrom, and John Carlson all remain on the injured reserve list.
Over the last six games, for every two Darcy Kuemper starts, Charlie Lindgren has gotten a start. With Kuemper (11-9-4, 2.56 GAA, .916 SV%) starting last night against the Blue Jackets, we see a potential battle of the backups and have Lindgren (11-4-2, 2.57 GAA, .914 SV%) getting the start for the Capitals.
Odds Breakdown
Before we give you the Predators vs Capitals best bets for your NHL picks today, we need to review the NHL odds.
The total goals line is listed at 6.5 goals, which is typical for most NHL matchups. The over is listed with odds from +100 to -118, while the under is listed from -110 to -120.
The Nashville Predators have an 18-19 over/under record, while the Washington Capitals have an 18-21-2 over/under record.
Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators are the moneyline underdog, listed from +125 to +130. The Predators have a 17-20 straight-up moneyline record.
The Predators are listed at +1.5 on the puck line spread, with odds from -178 to -200. Nashville has an 18-19 record against the spread (ATS).
Washington Capitals
According to Washington Capitals odds on many online sportsbooks, the Capitals are somewhat sizeable favorites, with odds listed between -152 and -155. Washington has a 22-19 straight-up moneyline record.
Washington is listed at -1.5 on the puck line spread, with odds ranging between +145 and +155. The Capitals have a 24-17 ATS record.
Nashville Predators vs. Washington Capitals Betting Pick and Prediction
Now that we have reviewed the stats, trends, and odds, let’s find the Predators vs Capitals’ best bets and make our NHL picks.
The first of our Predators vs Capitals best bets is to take the under. We’re following the betting trends here with both teams playing on back-to-back nights rather than their last game performances or more distant history.
Second, despite the Predators being 4-1 in the last five games in Washington and 8-3 overall, we’re favoring the Capitals on the moneyline. Washington should win a competitive game as we think they are the better team overall and have been playing better recently across the last ten games.
Finally, the final of our Predators vs Capitals best bets is to take the Capitals to cover the spread. Washington has covered the spread in the last three wins. We think there is a highly-likely chance this trend continues on Friday night.
- NHL Picks: Washington Capitals moneyline.
- NHL Picks: Washington Capitals -1.5, Under.
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