The Pittsburgh Penguins are on an incredible losing streak, entering Wednesday night’s match having lost seven games in a row. For their part, the Washington Capitals just snapped a losing streak with a win over the Edmonton Oilers. Continue reading below to get our best Penguins vs Capitals betting stats Betting Picks and much more.
These long-time Metropolitan division rivals meet for the first time this season; however, unlike their recent past, neither the Capitals nor Pittsburgh Penguins are fighting for the division lead.
Matchup General View
We’ll review the important Penguins vs Capitals betting stats and info to get you ready for Wednesday’s Metropolitan division battle between long-time rivals.
Puck drop for the Penguins vs Capitals is scheduled for 7:30 P.M. ET on Wednesday, November 9th, 2022, from the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. You can watch this game on TNT.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Washington Capitals Stats
Pittsburgh Penguins Stats
The Pittsburgh Penguins enter Wednesday night’s NHL schedule with a 4-6-2 record. After starting the season 4-1, the Penguins have lost their last seven games. Pittsburgh is currently seventh in the Metropolitan Division NHL standings.
In their last outing, the Penguins lost 3-2 to the Seattle Kraken on November 5th. Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel scored for the Penguins before Kraken forward Brandon Tanev scored late in the third period to give the Kraken the win and extend the Penguins’ losing streak to seven. Tristan Jarry made 25 saves in the loss.
We don’t know who the Penguins will start in the net against Washington. Pittsburgh has been rotating their goalies in their last seven games, with each neither goalie starting two games in a row.
Pittsburgh’s Coaching Staff
As the Penguins’ losing streak has continued, Pittsburgh’s coaching staff is likely trying to find a solution by switching the goalies until someone wins. If the Penguins’ rotation continues, we expect Calvin DeSmith to get the start.
If DeSmith does start for the Pittsburgh Penguins, he has a 0-3-1 record, with a 3.25 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage.
If the switching goaltenders’ every-game trend doesn’t continue, Tristan Jarry will start for the Penguins. Jarry has a 4-3-1 record, with 3.38 goals against and a .903 save percentage.
Since joining the league, Sidney Crosby has been a constant name among the NHL player stats leaders. Crosby leads the Pittsburgh Penguins with fourteen points (six goals, eight assists).
Penguins’ Team Stats
Team stats are important to consider for this Penguins vs Capitals betting stats preview and prediction. The Pittsburgh Penguins are averaging 3.50 goals per game and 3.67 goals against.
The Penguins’ powerplay has scored nine goals and is operating at 20%, while the penalty kill has given up eight powerplay goals and is operating at 81%.
Washington Capitals Stats
The Washington Capitals enter Wednesday night’s matchup with the Pittsburgh Penguins with a 6-6-2 record.
Capitals Four-game Losing Streak
The Capitals ended a four-game losing streak, defeating the Edmonton Oilers 5-4 on November 7th. Alex Ovechkin leads the Capitals with thirteen points (eight goals, five assists) so far in 2022-23.
In their win over the Oilers, Dylan Strome and Evgeny Kuznetsov each scored two goals, while Alex Ovechkin added another tally to his career goals total.
Charlie Lindgren got the start against the offensively-gifted Oilers, making 25 saves to get the win and improving his record to 2-1-1, with a 3.28 goals against average and a .907 save percentage.
After analyzing Washington’s recent goaltending rotation for our Penguins vs Capitals betting stats and predictions, we expect the Capitals to start Darcy Kuemper against the Penguins.
Capitals’ Number One Goalie
Kuemper is the Capitals’ number one goalie, and his stats, aside from his win-loss record, speak to that. Kuemper has a 4-5-1 record, with a 2.42 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage.
According to ESPN, the Washington Capitals have the more notable names listed on the NHL injury report, including John Carlson and Nicklas Backstrom.
Scoring has been an issue for the Capitals this season. The Washington Capitals are averaging 2.86 goals per game and 2.93 goals against. Washington’s special teams have been good this season.
The powerplay has scored thirteen times, operating at 27.1 percent, while the penalty kill is operating at 81% and has given up eight powerplay goals.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Washington Capitals Betting Trends
Before we make our Penguins vs Capitals betting pick, we’ll review the odds and both NHL teams betting records.
Moneyline
The Pittsburgh Penguins odds on the moneyline have them listed as the favorite, with odds ranging from -125 to -135.
As of publication, the Washington Capitals are the moneyline underdog, listed between +105 and +115. The Penguins are 4-8 on the moneyline, while the Capitals have a 6-8 record.
Puckline
Important information from our Penguins vs Capitals betting stats are betting records against the spread. The Capitals are 8-6 against the spread, while the Penguins are 4-8 so far in 2022-23.
Washington is listed at +1.5 on the puck line spread, with odds ranging from -225 and -250. Pittsburgh is listed at -1.5, with odds ranging from +170 to +200.
Total
The total goals line is set at 6.5. The over is listed with odds from -110 to -114. The under is listed with somewhat similar odds, ranging from -104 to -118.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have a 7-5 over/under record, while the Washington Capitals have a 6-8 over/under record.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Washington Capitals Matchup Predictions
Despite Kuemper’s sub-par record, we like his performance this season and expect him to guide the Washington Capitals to a win, extending the Penguins’ losing streak to eight.
As unfathomable as an eight-game losing streak is, we think the Capitals are the slightly better team, have better goaltending, and the better special team units.
Capitals as the Underdog
On top of that, the Capitals are the moneyline underdog. We’re taking the Capitals to win on the moneyline.
When it comes to the total goals line, we expect this game to finish with either six or seven goals scored. We’ll take the under in this game. This game feels like a 4-2 Capitals win.
As for the spread, we like the Capitals to cover the spread. We think the goaltending and special teams’ advantage is enough to give the Capitals the win over a higher-scoring Penguins team.
Who to Bet On?
We won’t have many more meaningful Crosby vs Ovechkin matchups, as they are both nearing the end of their respective hall-of-fame careers, and their teams are exiting their Championship windows.
We’re watching Crosby vs Ovechkin and enjoying it while we can, but expect the Capitals to win and make our bet on the moneyline payout. We might even consider a parlay on the Capitals to win and cover the spread.
NHL Pick: Capitals +1.5 (-230)
If you love sports and want more sports betting information follow us as @InsidersBetDig on Twitter and sign up to our mailing list for free betting picks.