Washington Capitals vs Pittsburgh Penguins Picks and Predictions November 8th 2024

Washington Capitals vs Pittsburgh Penguins November 8th 2024

Betting on today’s Penguins and Capitals game? Catch the action at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC, as the Capitals hosts this showdown at 7:30 ET on ESPN+. The over/under goal line for this matchup is currently at 6.5 goals, and the Capitals are favored by -1.5 vs. the Penguins.

Pittsburgh vs. Washington Key Information

Pittsburgh improved to 5-8-2 with a 3-1 road win over the Canadiens. The Penguins covered the puck line as -1.5 goal favorites, and the total of 4 goals fell short of the pre-game line of 6.5.

Sidney Crosby scored the first two goals for Pittsburgh, with the second coming at 1:20 in the second period. Montreal cut the lead to 2-1 in the third, but Blake Lizotte sealed the win for the Penguins with an empty-net goal at 19:15.

Sidney Crosby opened the scoring for the Penguins at 4:03 in the first period, marking his fourth goal of the season. He added a fifth on a power play at 1:20 in the second. Blake Lizotte netted his second goal of the year, sealing the game with an empty-netter at 19:15 in the third period.

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Pittsburgh fired 24 shots on goal and recorded 14 giveaways. The Penguins scored three times, with two of their goals coming on their first two shots of the game.

Alex Nedeljkovic was crucial in the Penguins’ 3-1 win over the Canadiens, making 25 saves with a 96.2% save percentage. The Penguins’ defense also contributed 5 takeaways and 19 hits. They gave up a goal at 5:32 in the 3rd period, but held Montreal scoreless until then.

With a 4-2 loss to the Hurricanes, the Capitals now stand at 9-3-0. Washington had been leading 2-1 after the first period, but Carolina scored three unanswered goals to secure the win.

The total for the game was set at 6 goals, and the combined score hit that number exactly. The Capitals were underdogs on the puck line, and they failed to cover. Both of Washington’s goals came in the first period, with Alex Ovechkin and Brandon Duhaime finding the net.

Alex Ovechkin netted his 7th goal of the season with a power-play strike, while Brandon Duhaime added his 2nd goal in the Capitals’ 4-2 loss to the Hurricanes. Nic Dowd picked up his 2nd assist of the season, and Dylan Strome earned his 13th assist on Ovechkin’s goal. John Carlson also contributed with his 7th assist.

Washington fired 21 shots on goal but was held scoreless after the first period. The Capitals had 15 giveaways in the game.

Defensively, the Capitals will look to improve after giving up three unanswered goals to the Hurricanes, including two in the 2nd period and one more in the 3rd. Charlie Lindgren made 41 saves with a 93.2% save percentage, but the defense allowed 44 shots on goal. The Capitals also had 16 blocks, 20 hits, and 2 takeaways.

When it comes to a moneyline wager, I’m going with the Capitals to defeat the Penguins while playing at home. Given the current moneyline odds at -170, I’m placing a wager on the Capitals to win outright.

If you’re looking for a puck line bet, I’d suggest going with the Penguins to cover. Even in the event of a Capitals victory, this game is expected to be closely fought, and the Penguins should cover the puck line.

When considering the over/under line, which is currently at 6.5 goals, we believe that this game will go over that threshold, and we recommend wagering on the over.

Penguins Look to Break Slump Against Red-Hot Capitals

The Pittsburgh Penguins will aim to turn their fortunes around when they visit the surging Washington Capitals on Friday night. These longtime rivals have had contrasting starts to the 2023-24 season, with Washington riding high near the top of the Metropolitan Division while Pittsburgh struggles to find its footing.

Capitals Riding Momentum, Fueled by Ovechkin

The Capitals have been one of the early-season success stories, sitting at 9-3-0 after a gritty 3-2 victory over the Nashville Predators on Wednesday. Washington has transformed its offense from a bottom-tier unit last season (28th in goals per game) to one of the league’s most productive, currently averaging 4.08 goals per game, ranking fourth in the NHL.

A significant part of their offensive resurgence is Alex Ovechkin, who remains a dominant force in his 19th NHL season. The Capitals’ captain has six goals in his last five games and leads the team in goals along with Connor McMichael, each with eight tallies. Ovechkin’s chemistry with linemates Dylan Strome and Aliaksei Protas has been a key factor in the Capitals’ hot start.

“I’m always having fun,” Ovechkin said. “When you’re winning games, when you produce some opportunities to have a chance to score goals, it’s always fun to play.”

But the Capitals’ success isn’t just about their top line. Depth scoring has been a pleasant surprise, with Tom Wilson contributing six goals and fourth-liner Nic Dowd chipping in with four goals in 12 games. This balanced attack is one of the reasons Washington has been able to maintain its winning ways.

Washington’s success is also bolstered by their new goalie Logan Thompson, who was acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights in June. Thompson has been stellar, starting his Capitals tenure with a perfect 6-0-0 record.

“Just really thankful to be here, be part of this organization,” Thompson shared after another solid performance.

Penguins Searching for Consistency

In contrast, the Penguins have hit a rough patch, dropping eight of their last 10 games. Pittsburgh currently sits just one point above the bottom of the Metropolitan Division following a 5-1 defeat to the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday.

Despite the lopsided score, Erik Karlsson tried to put a positive spin on the game.

“Overall, I don’t think it was as bad as the score indicated today,” Karlsson said. “We just got to find a way to get even more confidence and try and play with a little bit more confidence throughout the entire game.”

Pittsburgh’s struggles are evident at both ends of the ice. Offensively, they’ve been inconsistent, ranking 20th in the NHL with an average of 2.80 goals per game. The Penguins haven’t scored more than three goals in a game since their 6-5 overtime win against the Buffalo Sabres on Oct. 16.

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As expected, Evgeni Malkin (4 goals, 12 assists) and Sidney Crosby (6 goals, 9 assists) continue to be the primary offensive catalysts. However, they have received limited support from the rest of the lineup. Rickard Rakell, tied with Crosby for the team lead in goals, has only two goals in his past seven games.

Defensively, the Penguins have struggled mightily. They rank 30th in the NHL in goals allowed per game (3.80) and have given up 57 goals this season, tied for the most in the league with the Montreal Canadiens.

Key Storylines to Watch

1. Can Pittsburgh’s Defense Hold Up?
   The Penguins have been porous defensively, allowing nearly four goals per game. They will need to tighten up against a Capitals team that has been firing on all cylinders offensively.
2. Ovechkin’s Hot Streak
   Ovechkin’s recent goal-scoring run could spell trouble for the Penguins, who are struggling to contain top offensive talents. Look for the Capitals to ride their captain’s momentum.
3. Goaltending Battle
   With Logan Thompson playing at an elite level for Washington, Pittsburgh will need a strong performance from Tristan Jarry or Casey DeSmith to have a chance in this matchup.

Outlook

The Capitals are in prime form, boasting depth scoring and rock-solid goaltending, while the Penguins are still searching for consistency. If Washington can maintain its balanced attack and continue its strong defensive play, they will be difficult to beat on home ice. For Pittsburgh, this game represents a chance to find some stability and gain ground in the standings, but they’ll need to overcome their defensive woes and find secondary scoring beyond their stars.

With two teams on vastly different trajectories, this matchup could either solidify Washington’s place among the Metropolitan Division leaders or serve as a turning point for a struggling Penguins squad looking to regain its footing.