Capitals vs. Penguins Prediction
The Washington Capitals secured an important road win in Game 3 at the Pittsburgh Penguins to take a 2-1 series lead. Will Washington win again tonight to grab a commanding series lead?
Game Snapshot
19 Washington Capitals at 20 Pittsburgh Penguins
Thurday, May 3, 2018
PPG Paints Arena at 7PM ET
TV: NBCSN
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers, the Penguins are a -165 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Capitals are a +145 underdog, while the over-under is set at 6 goals. As of Thursday afternoon, 74 percent of public bets are pouring in on host Pittsburgh. Check out our NHL Public Betting Page for up-to-date info.
Wilson suspended three games
Washington forward Tom Wilson has been suspended three games for a high hit in Game 3 that broke the jaw of Penguins forward Zach Aston-Reese. Wilson is a versatile and tough-minded player who will be missed by his team after he tallied two goals and five assists in nine postseason games. He also has a team-high 14 penalty minutes. The 24-year-old had 14 goals and 21 assists in 78 regular season games, while racking up 187 penalty minutes.
Ovechkin stays hot
Capitals star Alex Ovechkin is often maligned for the Capitals’ failures in the postseason, but he is shutting up critics this postseason as he is in great form. Ovechkin notched a goal and an assist in the 4-3 Game 3 victory, with the goal being the decider with 1:07 remaining in regulation. He has now scored five goals in the last four playoff games and added two assists to boot. Overall, he has eight goals and five ssists in nine playoff games. Linemate Nicklas Backstrom dished out three assists to also play a heavy role in the victory, including on the game-winner.
NHL Betting Trends
Washington
The Capitals are 11-1 in their last 12 road games. Washington is 6-1 in its last seven games vs. the Metropolitan Division.
Pittsburgh
The under is 6-2 in the last eight meetings. The over is 2-0-2 in the last four Penguins home game.
Prediction:
Everyone is enamored with the firepower in these games and there is plenty of it, but let’s not forgot there are two strong defenses here two and a pair of goalies who have stepped their games up in the playoffs in Washington’s Braden Holtby and Pittsburgh’s Matt Murray. I’m going with the under in this spot
NHL DAILY PREDICTION: PENGUINS/CAPITALS UNDER 6