The Washington Capitals (25-19-6) play host to the Pittsburgh Penguins (24-15-8) at Capital One Arena on Thursday. Pittsburgh is coming off a high-scoring 7-6 overtime win over the Panthers on Tuesday. The Penguins took advantage of their power play opportunities, scoring three goals on five shots, while also conceding a power play goal.
Kris Letang led the Penguins with two goals. Casey DeSmith saved only 33 of 39 shots (.846%) in the win. Washington fell 3-2 to the Avalanche on Tuesday. Alex Ovechkin and Conor Sheary each scored once for the Capitals. Darcy Kuemper only had 23 saves on 26 shots against (.884%) in the loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Penguins won the first meeting between the teams this season, a 4-1 victory in November. Jake Guentzel led Pittsburgh with two points (1G 1A). Marcus Johansson scored Washington’s only goal. DeSmith got the win, saving 24 of 25 shots (.960%).
FACING OFF
Pittsburgh is averaging 3.28 goals per game for the season, 11th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Capitals team that is allowing 2.80 goals a game (9th).
Meanwhile, Washington has found the net 3.16 times a game on average, 17th in the league, and the Penguins are allowing opponents to score 3.06 goals per game (16th).
The Penguins’ 22.16% power play percentage ranks 16th in the league, while the Capitals are 20th with a conversion rate of 20.26%. In terms of penalty killing, Washington has the league’s seventh-ranked PK% at 81.62%, while Pittsburgh is 10th at 81.17%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 57 points this season, Sidney Crosby is the top skater for the Penguins. He has 23 goals and 34 assists in 47 games. In the net, Tristan Jarry (16-5-5) is Pittsburgh’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 2.65 GAA and a .921% save percentage.
Ovechkin leads the Capitals in scoring with 53 points. He has 31 goals (6th) and 22 assists. Kuemper (14-12-4) has the best goals against average for Washington at 2.55. He has a save percentage of .917%.
HOME AND AWAY
Pittsburgh is looking to end a three-game road losing streak this season. Washington is 13-8-3 at Capital One Arena this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Pittsburgh Penguins (+110)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
