Pittsburgh Penguins vs Washington Capitals Picks and Predictions February 22nd 2025

Pittsburgh Penguins vs Washington Capitals February 22nd 2025

Looking to win big? The Capitals and Penguins face off at 3:00 ET on ABC. The Penguins are hosting the game at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. The Capitals are the -1.5 goal favorites in this Metropolitan division matchup against the Penguins. The over/under for the game is set at 5.5 goals.

Washington vs. Pittsburgh Key Information

• Teams: Capitals at Penguins
• Where: PPG Paints Arena Pittsburgh
• Date: Saturday, February 22nd
• Betting Odds WAS -164 | PIT +137 O/U 5.5

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The Capitals Can Win If…

Washington’s 4-2 loss to the Hurricanes dropped their record to 36-11-8. The Capitals were the underdogs on the puck line, and the total of 6 goals matched the pre-game line.

After trailing 1-0, Washington took the lead with two goals in the first period. However, the Hurricanes responded with three unanswered goals, including one at 19:51 in the third period.

In their 4-2 loss to the Hurricanes, the Capitals’ offense was limited to just two goals, both coming in the first period. Alex Ovechkin netted his 7th goal of the season on a power play, while Brandon Duhaime followed with his 2nd goal, just 11 seconds before the end of the first period.

Washington managed 21 shots on goal but struggled with giveaways, tallying 15. Nic Dowd recorded his 2nd assist of the season, and Dylan Strome picked up his 13th assist on Ovechkin’s opening goal.

Washington’s defense gave up the first goal 5:59 into the first period, and after taking a 2-1 lead, they allowed three unanswered goals, including two in the second period and an empty-netter at the end of the third. Charlie Lindgren made 41 saves with a 93.2% save percentage, but the Capitals’ defense managed just two takeaways.

• Through their last three games, the Capitals have a record of 2-1. Their record vs the puck line in these matchups is less impressive at 1-2, while posting an over-under record of 3-0.
• Washington has put together a record of 6-4 in their last ten games (regular season). The team’s record vs the puck line was just 6-4, in addition to an over-under mark of 5-5.

The Penguins Can Win If…

The Penguins improved to 23-25-9 with a 3-1 win over the Canadiens. Pittsburgh entered the game as -1.5 goal favorites and covered the puck line. The total was set at 6.5 goals, and the combined 4 goals fell under that mark.

Sidney Crosby scored the first two goals for the Penguins, with the second coming on a power play. The Canadiens cut the lead to 2-1 in the third period, but Blake Lizotte added an empty-netter to seal the victory.

Sidney Crosby led the way for the Penguins with two goals in their 3-1 win over the Canadiens. He scored early in the first period and added a power-play goal in the second. Blake Lizotte netted his second goal of the season, sealing the game with an empty-netter at 19:15 in the third period.

The Penguins fired 24 shots on goal and recorded 14 giveaways. Lars Eller picked up his third assist of the season on Lizotte’s empty-net goal, while Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson added assists on Crosby’s second goal, bringing their season totals to 3 and 7 assists, respectively.

Defensively, the Penguins will look to build on a solid performance from their previous game, where they allowed just one goal to the Canadiens. Alex Nedeljkovic made 25 saves, finishing with a 96.2% save percentage. The defense also contributed 5 takeaways and 19 hits.

• Across Pittsburgh’s last three regular season games, their record sits at 1-2. Against the spread, they have a strong mark of 3-0 along with an over-under record of 0-3.
• Pittsburgh has put together a record of 4-6 in their last ten games (regular season). Across these games, their puck line record was just 6-4, while posting an over-under record of 1-8-1.

The Lean

When making a moneyline pick, my choice is the Penguins to come out with a win against the Capitals while playing at home. Considering the moneyline odds at +137, I’m placing my bet on the Penguins to win outright.

If you’re looking to get a bet down on this matchup, we foresee the Penguins winning the underdog. However, if you’re not as confident in the Penguins straight-up, we’d still recommend placing a bet on them to cover the puck line.

With an over/under line sitting at 5.5 goals, we like this game to surpass that mark and recommend getting a bet down on the over.

NHL Picks & Predictions

Washington Capitals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins: A Rivalry Renewed

As the NHL season resumes after the 4-Nations Face-Off, the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins clash in a pivotal matchup on Saturday. With both teams eyeing postseason success, the stakes are high—especially for Alex Ovechkin, who continues his pursuit of history.

Capitals Riding Momentum, Ovechkin Chasing Gretzky

The Capitals enter this game in first place in the Metropolitan Division with a comfortable 10-point lead over the Carolina Hurricanes and a nine-point edge over the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference. They are also just one point behind the Winnipeg Jets for the NHL’s top spot.

Despite their dominant position, Washington has no plans to ease up. The team earned points in six straight games (3-0-3) before the break and is determined to carry that momentum into the final stretch.

Ovechkin’s Record-Breaking Chase

All eyes are on Alex Ovechkin, who sits at 879 career goals, just 16 away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL record of 894. This season, Ovechkin has netted 26 goals in 39 games, and with 27 games remaining, he is set to make history.

“I think this is going to be his best hockey of the year, these last 27 games,” said Capitals coach Spencer Carbery. “You’re going to see a guy that is highly, highly motivated.”

Ovechkin himself is focused on staying healthy and preparing for the playoffs, acknowledging that the team still has a long road ahead.

Key Capitals Contributors

While Ovechkin dominates the headlines, Dylan Strome leads the team in assists (38) and points (54). The Capitals also have a balanced offensive attack with Tom Wilson (24 goals), Aliaksei Protas (22), and Connor McMichael (19) providing consistent scoring.

Between the pipes, Logan Thompson has been a revelation, boasting a 24-2-5 record, a 2.23 goals-against average, and a .921 save percentage—one of the best stat lines among NHL goaltenders.

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Penguins Desperate for Playoff Push

The Penguins are fighting to stay in the playoff picture. Before the break, they lost two of their last three games and currently sit in eighth place in the Eastern Conference wild-card race, six points behind the second wild-card spot held by the Detroit Red Wings.

With just 25 games remaining, Pittsburgh needs a strong finish to secure a playoff berth. Fortunately, their upcoming schedule favors them, as five of their next six games are at home, starting with this back-to-back against the Capitals and New York Rangers.

Malkin Returns to Bolster Pittsburgh’s Attack

The Penguins receive a huge boost as Evgeni Malkin returns after missing six games with a lower-body injury. The 38-year-old forward, who has nine goals and 25 points in 47 games, is eager to help his team down the stretch.

“Of course, I don’t feel great about my season or the team’s season,” Malkin admitted. “But everything can change quickly.”

Malkin’s presence will be crucial in supporting Sidney Crosby, who returns from the 4-Nations Face-Off after leading his team to victory despite playing with an apparent left arm or wrist injury. Crosby’s leadership and offensive firepower remain the backbone of Pittsburgh’s playoff aspirations.

Additional Reinforcements for Pittsburgh

Along with Malkin, forward Bryan Rust is expected to return after missing the last game before the break with a lower-body injury. His return should help stabilize the Penguins’ offensive depth, which has been inconsistent this season.

The Rivalry Factor: Capitals vs. Penguins

This isn’t just another game—it’s one of the NHL’s most heated rivalries. For nearly two decades, Ovechkin and Crosby have defined this era of hockey, battling in regular-season classics and high-stakes playoff series. While both teams have taken different trajectories this season, their matchups are always intense.

This season, the Capitals won the previous two meetings against Pittsburgh, and they’ll look to extend that dominance on Saturday.