Free NHL Picks Today: Winnipeg Jets vs Washington Capitals 12/11/22

Both teams will be out to extend winning runs when the Washington Capitals (13-12-4) travel to face the Winnipeg Jets (18-7-1) at Canada Life Centre on Sunday. Washington is coming off a 4-1 win over the Kraken on Friday, their third consecutive win. The Capitals committed only two penalties in the game, holding Seattle without a power play goal. Four players found the net for the Capitals.

Alex Ovechkin scored and provided an assist to lead the team in scoring. Charlie Lindgren had a great performance with 25 saves (.961%) in the win.

Winnipeg won their fourth straight game, beating the Blackhawks 3-1 on Friday. Adam Lowry, Blake Wheeler, and Cole Perfetti each scored once for the Jets. Josh Morrissey had two assists to lead the team in scoring. David Rittich was impressive in the win, making 22 saves (.956%).

HEAD TO HEAD

The Capitals won both games between the teams last season, including a 4-3 (OT) victory in their final meeting in January. Tom Wilson and Dmitry Orlov each had two points (1G 1A) to lead Washington.

Kyle Connor (1G 1A), Pierre-Luc Dubois (1G 1A), and Mark Scheifele (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Winnipeg. Vitek Vanecek got the win, saving 30 of 33 shots (.909%).

FACING OFF

Washington is averaging 2.83 goals per game for the season, 27th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Jets team that is allowing only 2.46 goals a game (4th). Meanwhile, Winnipeg has found the net 3.35 times a game on average, 11th in the league, and the Capitals are allowing opponents to score 2.93 goals per game (11th).

The Jets’ 23.53% power play percentage ranks 14th in the league, while the Capitals are 20th with a conversion rate of 21.36%. Winnipeg has been more impressive at penalty killing, boasting the league’s third-highest PK% at 84.51%. Washington ranks 10th at 80.72%.

TOP PERFORMERS:

With 29 points this season, Ovechkin is the top skater for the Capitals. He is among the league leaders with 16 goals (8th) and has added 13 assists. In the net, Darcy Kuemper (8-9-2) is Washington’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 2.56 GAA and a .916% save percentage.

Morrissey (30 points), Dubois (28), and Connor (28) lead the Jets in scoring. Morrissey has five goals and 25 assists (10th), while Dubois has 13 goals and 15 assists in 26 games. Connor has 11 goals and 17 assists.

Connor Hellebuyck (14-5-1) is the top goalie for Winnipeg with a goals against average of 2.24, fourth-best in the league. He has a save percentage of .932%, also fourth-best.