| MATCHUP | Pittsburgh Penguins | Washington Capitals |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 2-1-0 | 1-1-0 |
| Spread | +1.5 -185 | -1.5 154 |
| Moneyline | +136 | -162 |
| Total | Over 6.5 (-112) | Under 6.5 (-108) |
| Where | Capital One Arena, Washington, DC | |
| When | Wednesday, October 7, 2026 | |
| Time | 07:30 PM EDT | |
| TV | TNT | |
Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Habs, lost to the Jets, and they play the Blue Jackets next. The Penguins have split their last 10 regular season games.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are averaging 5 goals per game and are scoring 40 percent of their power play opportunities. Evgeni Malkin leads Pittsburgh with 2 goals, Erik Karlsson has 4 assists, and Sidney Crosby has 10 shots on goal. Defensively, the Pittsburgh Penguins are allowing 2.67 goals per game and are killing 100 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Arturs Silovs has allowed 5 goals on 44 shots faced, and Segei Murashov has given up 3 goals on 34 shots.
Washington Capitals Betting Preview
The Washington Capitals beat the Hurricanes, lost to the Lightning, and they play the Rangers next. The Capitals have won 9 of their last 12 regular season games.
The Washington Capitals are averaging 3 goals per game and are scoring 25 percent of their power play opportunities. Alex Tuch leads Washington with 2 goals, Dylan Strome has 2 assists, and Boone Jenner has 6 shots on goal. Defensively, the Washington Capitals are allowing 2.5 goals per game and are killing 88.9 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Logan Thompson has given up 2 goals on 33 shots faced, and Charlie Lindgren has allowed 2 goals on 29 shots.
Why the Washington Capitals will win
- The Capitals have won 10 of their last 11 night games at Capital One Arena.
- The Capitals have covered the puck line in seven of their last eight night games following a road loss.
- The Penguins have lost the third period in eight of their last nine games at Capital One Arena when trailing after the second period.
Why the Pittsburgh Penguins will win
- The underdogs have won each of the Penguins’ last three games.
- The Capitals have lost each of their last two home openers as favorites.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in eight of the Penguins’ last nine games.
- The Capitals have failed to cover the puck line in three of their last four home openers as favorites.
- The Capitals have lost the third period in seven of their last eight games when trailing after the second period.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the last six night games between the Penguins and Capitals at Capital One Arena have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Each of the Penguins’ last four road games against the Capitals following a loss have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Capitals’ last nine games as favorites against the Penguins.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in 14 of the Penguins’ last 15 games following a loss.
Washington Capitals Player Prop Facts
- Tom Wilson has scored at least one goal in four of the Capitals’ last five night games at Capital One Arena.
- Pierre-Luc Dubois has recorded at least one assist in each of his last five appearances against the Penguins.
Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts
- Sidney Crosby has scored at least one goal in three of his last four appearances against the Capitals.
- Sidney Crosby has recorded at least one assist in eight of his last 10 road appearances against Metropolitan Division opponents.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Washington Capitals Injury Report
The Capitals will be without Patrick Thomas and Rasmus Sandin. Matt Roy is day-to-day with a lower body injury.
The Penguins will be without Bryan Rust, Justin Brazeau, and Ryan Graves.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Washington Capitals Prediction
The Penguins are playing good hockey out of the gate, and these teams don’t like one another, so the plus money is intriguing. I love my dogs in rivalries. However, as I said from the start of the season, the Capitals greatly improved this offseason and have become division title contenders. This is a good Caps roster with improved depth and offensive ability. I obviously like them more with shorter prices or in the underdog role, but this is still reasonable. I’m high on these Capitals. I’ll lay the juice.