Capitals vs. Lightning Prediction
The NHL-best Washington Capitals will have a road test tonight against a Tampa Bay Lightning squad that has won their last two games. Can Washington skate to a win on the road as the underdogs?
Game Snapshot
47 Washington Capitals at 48 Tampa Bay Lightning
Saturday, December 14, 2019
Amalie Arena at 7:05PM ET
TV: ESPN+
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers, the Lightning are a -135 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Capitals are a +115 underdog, while the total is set at 6.5 goals. As of Saturday morning, 72 percent of public bets are siding with visiting Washington. Check out our NHL Public Betting Page for the latest info.
Caps edge Bruins
Washington earned a 3-2 home win over Boston Wednesday night to improve to 23-5-5 on the season. T.J. Oshie evened it up at 1-1 for the Capitals on the power play with 15:25 left in the second period on an assist by John Carlson. Oshie scored again less than four minutes later to put Washington ahead 2-1 as Evgeny Kuznetsov and Jakub Vrana drew assists. The Bruins evened it at 2-2 under three minutes into the third period, but the Caps answered less than two minutes later on a Carlson goal off assists from Nicklas Backstrom and Tom Wilson. Braden Holtby registered 30 saves on 32 shots in the winning effort.
Lightning take down Bruins
Tampa Bay secured a 3-2 home victory over Boston Wednesday night to move to 16-11-3 on the season. The Lightning trailed 1-0 through 1-0 period, but Steven Stamkos tied it at 1-1 in the second period on a power play goal assisted by Nikita Kucherov. Brayden Point gave the hosts a 2-1 adantage on the power play just over four minutes into the third period as Kucherov and Victor Hedman recorded assists. Stamkos added an unassisted goal with 4:47 left to add some insurance. The Bruins scored their final goal with 3:15 left. Andrei Vasilevskiy registered 27 saves on 29 shots to post the win.
NHL Betting Trends
Washington
The Capitals are 20-6 in their last 26 games overall. Washington is 39-19 in its last 58 Saturday games.
Tampa Bay
The Lightning are 39-17 in their last 56 home games. The favorite is 5-2 in the last seven meetings.
Prediction:
Tampa Bay has battled some injuries this season and been looking for a spark throughout. What better way than beating the team that has the NHL’s best record? The best record in hockey belonged to the Lightning last season and they are still fully capable of playing at that level on any given night. I like the way Tampa Bay has played lately and it is always a tough out at home. I’m taking the hosts here as they are favored for good reason.
NHL DAILY PREDICTION: TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING -135