Alex Ovechkin, John Carlson, and the Washington Capitals will face off against Bryan Rust, Evgeni Malkin, and the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena for a Metro Division matchup. The opening face-off takes place at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 7, and it is being televised live on AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Washington Capitals at Pittsburgh Penguins Odds

Washington is 40-27 straight up (SU) and has lost 0.4 units for moneyline bettors this year. 41 of its outings have gone over the total, while 23 have gone under and just two have pushed. As the away team in 2019-20, the Caps are 22-12 SU.

Washington has converted on 19.6 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, it has the sixth-strongest penalty kill in the league, and it has successfully killed off 82.8 percent of its penalties..

With a .896 save percentage and 25.9 saves per game, Braden Holtby (25-21-5) has been the top option in goal for Washington this season. If head coach Todd Reirden chooses to rest him, however, the team might roll with Ilya Samsonov (16-10-2 record, .913 save percentage, 2.55 goals against average).

Over on the other bench, Pittsburgh is 39-27 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 1.6 units this year. 33 of its contests have gone under the total, while 30 have gone over and just two have pushed. The team is 23-10 SU at home this year.

The Penguins have converted on just 20.5 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked eighth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.4 percent of all penalties.

Matt Murray has denied 25.1 shots per game as the primary option in goal for the Penguins. Murray has 20 wins, 16 losses, and five overtime losses and has recorded a subpar .900 save percentage and 2.83 goals against average this season.

Washington Capitals at Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Predictions

NHL Tip: SU Winner – Penguins, O/U – Under

Notes

Betting Notes

The Penguins are 3-0 in games decided by a shootout this season while the Capitals are 4-2 in shootouts.

Over Washington’s last ten games, four of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 1-3 in those games).

This game features two of the tougher teams in the league. Washington skaters have given out the seventh-most hits in the league (24.7 per game) and the Pens have recorded the fourth-most (27.6).