Capitals vs Penguins Prediction - NHL Picks 1/2/24

Pittsburgh Penguins (18-13-4) vs Washington Capitals (17-11-6)

Game Info: Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at 7:30 pm (PPG Paints Arena)

Betting Odds: Pittsburgh Penguins -172 / Washington Capitals +142 --- Over/Under: 5.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds

Where to Watch: ESPN+

The Washington Capitals will play the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday night at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Washington has lost four games in a row, while Pittsburgh is on a three game winning streak. Let’s take a look at the betting matchup and the Capitals vs Penguins prediction. 

Capitals Preview

The Washington Capitals are 17-11-6 this season after they lost to Nashville by a score of 3-2 in a shootout in their last game. Washington trailed 2-0 in the first period, but they were able to tie the game and force overtime, but couldn’t get the job done in the shootout. The Capitals were out shot by a total of 36-29 and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Washington has also lost to the Islanders, Rangers, and Lightning during this losing streak. The Capitals are scoring 2.29 goals per game and they are allowing 2.79 goals against per game, while going 11.5% on the power play and 82.1% on the penalty kill. Alex Ovechkin has led Washington with seven goals, 14 assists, and 126 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Washington is Darcy Kuemper, who is 8-8-2 this year with a 3.16 goals against average and a .892 save percentage.

Penguins Preview

The Pittsburgh Penguins are 18-13-4 this year after they defeated the Islanders by a score of 3-1 in their last game. Pittsburgh scored the first two goals in this game and led 2-1 in the third period, before adding an empty net goal for the win. The Penguins recorded 38 shots on goal and went 0-4 on the power play in the game. Pittsburgh defeated the Blues by a score of 4-2 and the Islanders by a score of 7-0 in the two games prior to that win. The Penguins are scoring 3.00 goals per game and they are allowing 2.63 goals against per game, while going 13.4% on the power play and 82.9% on the penalty kill. Jake Guentzel has led Pittsburgh with 16 goals, 24 assists, and 124 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Pittsburgh is Tristan Jarry, who is 11-11-2 this year with a 2.47 goals against average and a .916 save percentage. 

Pittsburgh Penguins Team Facts

  • The Penguins have lost six of their last seven games as home favorites following a home win.
  • The road team has covered the puck line in each of the last seven games between the Capitals and Penguins.
  • The 'Over 1.5 Goals Period 3' market has hit in each of the Penguins' last 13 games as home favorites against opponents on a losing streak.
  • The Penguins have lost the first period in each of their last five games as favorites following a home win.

Washington Capitals Team Facts

  • The Capitals have lost each of their last four games.
  • The underdogs have covered the puck line in seven of the Capitals' last eight games at PPG Paints Arena.
  • The 'Over 1.5 Goals Period 2' market has hit in each of the Capitals' last nine games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
  • The Capitals have lost the third period in each of their last four games against Metropolitan Division opponents.

Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts

  • Sidney Crosby has scored at least one goal in each of the Penguins' last three games as favorites.
  • Sidney Crosby has recorded at least one point in each of the Penguins' last 15 Tuesday games against Eastern Conference opponents at PPG Paints Arena.
  • Evgeni Malkin has recorded an assist in each of the Penguins' last four games as home favorites.

Washington Capitals Player Prop Facts

  • John Carlson has recorded at least one point in each of his last six Tuesday appearances.
  • John Carlson has recorded at least one assist in five of the Capitals' last six games at PPG Paints Arena.

Matchup/League Facts

  • The Pittsburgh Penguins rank 2nd in the league in save percentage this season (.915).
  • The Pittsburgh Penguins rank 29th in the league in penalty minutes this season (283).
  • The Washington Capitals rank 32nd in the league for power play goals this season (11).
  • The Washington Capitals rank T1st in the league in short handed goals allowed this season (1).

Capitals vs Penguins Betting Prediction

Washington comes into this game on a four game losing streak and they have scored a total of five goals in those four losses. Pittsburgh has won three games in a row and has out scored their opponents by a total of 14-3 in those three games. The Penguins are playing very well right now and they are 10-6-1 at home this season. Both of these teams have been great in the defensive end of the ice, so I think we are going to see a lower scoring game here, but I like the Penguins at home in this contest. 

David’s Pick Penguins ML

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The pick in this article is the opinion of the writer, not a PickDawgz site consensus.

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