The Anaheim Ducks (17-34-7) face the Washington Capitals (28-25-6) Thursday at Capital One Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Ducks vs. Capitals odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Ducks limp into the nation’s capital with just 1 point out of a possible 12 in the past 6 games, going 0-5-1. Anaheim has allowed 6 or more goals in 5 of those outings and gave up 4 in the other contest.
The Capitals have been gradually getting healthier recently, welcoming back RW Tom Wilson 2 games ago, and C Nic Dowd last time out. While RW Anthony Mantha left Tuesday’s game due to an upper-body injury, it isn’t believed to be serious. It’s also possible LW Alexander Ovechkin, who has missed a handful of games due to the death of his father, might be available to return.
Washington has dropped 5 games in a row, and it has scored a total of just 8 goals during the ugly span. The Under is 5-1 in the previous 6 outings overall.
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Ducks at Capitals odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:36 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Ducks +225 (bet $100 to win $225) | Capitals -270 (bet $270 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Ducks +1.5 (-110) | Capitals -1.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +115 | U: -135)
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Ducks at Capitals projected goalies
John Gibson (10-23-6, 4.07 GAA, .898 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Darcy Kuemper (16-18-4, 2.68 GAA, .913 SV%, 5 SO)
Gibson has been a mess lately, coughing up 4 or more goals in 4 consecutive outings. Since a win in his final start of January, Gibson is 0-3-2 with a 4.73 GAA and .897 SV% in 5 outings in February.
Kuemper is winless in 4 straight outings, but he has received just 14 goals of support across the past 8 starts. While he hasn’t helped himself, the offense hasn’t exactly helped him out, either.
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Ducks at Capitals picks and predictions
Prediction
Capitals 5, Ducks 2
Moneyline
The Capitals (-270) are way too expensive on the money line, especially for a team that has been struggling mightily.
Even if Ovechkin is able to rejoin his teammates after mourning in Russia for the past few games, you still can’t risk more than 2 1/2 times your potential return on an ice-cold team.
PASS.
Puck line/Against the spread
The CAPITALS -1.5 (-110) is a much better option laying the goal and a half. While Washington has had a power outage on offense recently, the fact it has Wilson and Dowd are back, and Ovie will potentially return, means the offense should finally start to awake from its slumber.
Facing Gibson and the very giving Ducks will also be tremendously helpful for the Caps, and just what the doctor ordered.
Over/Under
The OVER 6.5 (+115) is worth a roll of the dice at this price.
While it’s extremely risky to play an Over with the way the Caps have been producing lately, the Ducks have allowed 6 or more goals in 5 of the past 6 outings. If Washington can’t light the lamp frequently against Anaheim, it really is in trouble.
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