The Washington Capitals (+110) travel to take on the St. Louis Blues (-130), who will be looking to build on their winning run, at Enterprise Center on Thursday. The total is 6.5 (O: -115, U: -105)Washington (7-9-2) is coming off a 5-2 loss against the Panthers on Tuesday, their fourth straight defeat away from home.
The Capitals committed only two penalties in the game, yet still conceded a power play goal. John Carlson and Dylan Strome both scored once for the Capitals. Carlson added an assist to lead the team in scoring.
Darcy Kuemper saved only 38 of 42 shots against (.904%) in the loss.St. Louis (7-8-0) is back home for a four-game homestand with the second of a back-to-back after earning a 5-2 win over the Blackhawks yesterday, their fourth straight win. Five players found the net for the Blues. Jordan Binnington saved 25 of 27 shots in the win (.925%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Blues won both games between the teams last season, including a 5-2 victory in their final meeting in March. Brayden Schenn led St. Louis with three points (1G 2A). Tom Wilson led Washington with two points (1G 1A). Ville Husso got the win, saving 19 of 21 shots (.904%).
FACING OFF
Washington is averaging 2.83 goals per game for the season, 24th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Blues team that is allowing 3.47 goals a game (24th). Meanwhile, St. Louis has found the net 2.60 times a game on average, 29th in the league, and the Capitals are allowing opponents to score 3.17 goals per game (16th).
Washington averages fewer shots/game (28.6) than most teams in the league, ranking 30th. St. Louis’ average of 30.3 attempts ranks 23rd.The Blues’ 20.51% power play percentage ranks 15th in the league, while the Capitals are 24th with a conversion rate of 18.84%. St. Louis has been less successful at penalty killing, as the hosts own the league’s fourth-lowest PK% at 71.88%. Washington’s 79.25% ranks 15th in the NHL.
TOP PERFORMERS:
Alex Ovechkin and Strome have been the top skaters for the Capitals this season with 14 and 13 points. In the net, Kuemper (5-8-1) is Washington’s top goaltender. He has a 2.73 GAA and a .911% save percentage.Schenn (12 points), Vladimir Tarasenko (11), and Justin Faulk (11) lead the Blues in scoring.
Schenn has three goals and nine assists, while Tarasenko has four goals and seven assists. Faulk has three goals and eight assists. Binnington (6-5-0) has the best goals against average for St. Louis at 3.07. He has a save percentage of .904%.
HOME AND AWAY
Washington is 2-6-1 on the road this season. St. Louis is 2-4-0 at home this season. Meanwhile, the Blues are 0-2 without a day off and 0-2 playing with a rest disadvantage. The Capitals are 1-0 with a rest advantage.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Under 6.5 (-110)
Want up to a $1K risk free bet for this pick?
Claim with 
today!
If you need more news, information and predictions, head over to our NHL hub page for all your hockey needs!
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
