Free NHL Picks Today: Washington Capitals vs Winnipeg Jets 12/23/22

The Washington Capitals (-150) will be looking to extend their winning streak when they host the Winnipeg Jets (+130) at Capital One Arena on Friday. The total is 6 (O: -110, U: -110)Both teams will be playing the second of a back-to-back. The Jets are 3-2 without rest, while the Capitals are 0-3.

Winnipeg (21-11-1) is coming off a 3-2 loss against the Bruins yesterday. The Jets committed four penalties in the game, conceding one power play goal. Jansen Harkins and Mark Scheifele each scored once for the Jets. Connor Hellebuyck had 36 saves in the loss.

Washington (18-13-4) won their third in a row, beating the Senators 3-2 (OT) yesterday. Evgeny Kuznetsov, Sonny Milano, and Marcus Johansson scored one apiece for the Capitals.

Kuznetsov added an assist to share the scoring lead with Alex Ovechkin, who had two assists. Darcy Kuemper had 23 saves.

HEAD TO HEAD

The Capitals won the first meeting between the teams this season, a 5-2 victory on December 11, their third straight win against Winnipeg. Dmitry Orlov led Washington with two points (0G 2A). Pierre-Luc Dubois and Adam Lowry were on the scoresheet for Winnipeg. Charlie Lindgren got the win, saving 29 of 31 shots (.935%).

FACING OFF

Winnipeg is averaging 3.33 goals per game for the season, ninth in the NHL, and they are taking on a Capitals team that is allowing 2.83 goals a game (12th). Meanwhile, Washington has found the net 3.06 times a game on average, 19th in the league, and the Jets are holding opponents to 2.55 goals per game (4th).

The Jets’ 23.53% power play percentage ranks 12th in the league, while the Capitals are 18th with a conversion rate of 21.55%. When it comes to defending power plays, Winnipeg has the league’s sixth-ranked PK% at 81.11%, while Washington is 13th at 80.39%.

TOP PERFORMERS:

Josh Morrissey and Kyle Connor have been the top skaters for the Jets this season with 39 and 38 points. Morrissey is among the league leaders with his 33 assists (4th). In the net, Hellebuyck (16-7-1) is Winnipeg’s top goaltender.

He has a 2.33 GAA, fifth-best in the league, and a .928% save percentage, third-best. Ovechkin leads the Capitals in scoring with 38 points. He has 20 goals (8th) and 18 assists. Kuemper (8-9-2) has the best goals against average for Washington at 2.56. He has a save percentage of .916%.