Free NHL Picks Today: Washington Capitals vs Dallas Stars 12/15/22

The Washington Capitals (15-12-4) will be out to build on their winning run when they welcome the Dallas Stars (17-8-5) at Capital One Arena on Thursday. Dallas is coming off a 4-1 win over the Devils on Tuesday.

The Stars committed only two penalties in the game, holding New Jersey without a power play goal. Four players found the net for the Stars. Scott Wedgewood had a great performance with 35 saves (.972%) in the win.

Washington won for the fifth straight game, beating the Blackhawks 7-3 on Tuesday. Alex Ovechkin was the leading goal scorer for the Capitals, netting a hat trick. Charlie Lindgren surrendered three goals on 29 shots (.896%).

HEAD TO HEAD

The Stars won the first meeting between the teams this season, a 2-0 victory in October. Jason Robertson and Joel Kiviranta were on the scoresheet for Dallas. Jake Oettinger saved 27 shots to earn the shutout win.

FACING OFF

Dallas is averaging 3.67 goals per game for the season, third in the NHL, and they are taking on a Capitals team that is allowing 2.90 goals a game (12th). Meanwhile, Washington has found the net 3.03 times a game on average, 21st in the league, and the Stars are allowing opponents to score 2.73 goals per game (6th).

The Stars’ 24.44% power play percentage ranks 10th in the league, while the Capitals are 16th with a conversion rate of 22.64%. Dallas has been equally impressive at penalty killing, boasting the league’s third-highest PK% at 84.55%. Washington ranks 10th at 80.90%.

TOP PERFORMERS:

With 43 points this season, third-most in the NHL, Robertson is the top skater for the Stars. He is among the league leaders with 23 goals (2nd) and has added 20 assists. In the net, Oettinger (11-4-3) is Dallas’ top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 2.49 GAA and a .916% save percentage.

Ovechkin leads the Capitals in scoring with 34 points. He has 20 goals (8th) and 14 assists in 31 games. Darcy Kuemper (8-9-2) has the best goals against average for Washington at 2.56. He has a save percentage of .916%.