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The Pittsburgh Penguins (0-1) and Washington Capitals (0-0) face off Friday at Capital One Arena. Puck drop is 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+/Hulu). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Penguins vs. Capitals odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
It’s a matchup between the best 2 players of the last 20 years – Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin.
The Pens try to shake off a 4-2 loss at the hands of the Chicago Blackhawks in their season opener. They led 2-1 entering the 3rd, but the young Blackhawks stormed back with 3 goals. Crosby had a goal on 3 shots.
The Capitals open the new season with a chip on their shoulder after failing to make the postseason last year. “Ovi” also renews his chase for Wayne Gretzky’s career goals record at 894, and he’s 72 away.
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Penguins at Capitals odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:52 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Penguins -120 (bet $120 to win $100) | Capitals +100 (bet $100 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Penguins -1.5 (+190) | Capitals +1.5 (-250)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Penguins at Capitals projected goalies
Tristan Jarry (0-1-0, 3.13 GAA, .914 SV%) vs. Darcy Kuemper (22-26-7, 2.87 GAA, .909 SV%, 5 SO last season)
Jarry stopped 31 of 34 shots in the season opener. The Blackhawks pelted him with 27 shots on goal in the 1st 2 periods, and he stopped 26 but came undone in the 3rd. He didn’t face the Caps last season and was 1-2-0-1 against them in 2021-22. He had a 3.96 GAA and .884 SV%.
Kuemper had his 3rd-worst GAA of his 12-year career last year, and he looks to get back on track. The Capitals were ravaged by injuries in front of him, and he still had a solid .909 SV%. He was 1-2-0 with a 2.94 GAA and .913 SV% in 3 games against Pittsburgh last season.
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Penguins at Capitals picks and predictions
Prediction
Penguins 5, Capitals 4
Moneyline
The Pens are 5-3-2 in their last 10 meetings with the Capitals. Oddly enough, the Pens have come away with victories in 4 games in Washington during that stretch. Newly acquired D Erik Karlsson looked a little out of sync in his team debut, and I look for a better game from him in this one. I like the PENGUINS (-120) here.
Puck line/Against the spread
I’m not a fan of either side of the puck line here. I do like ALEX OVECHKIN OVER 3.5 SHOTS (-135). He gets up for playing against Crosby and had 4 shots on goal in 2 of 3 against them last year.
Over/Under
There have been a lot of Overs hitting in the opening week, and this number would have cashed in 6 of the last 10 meetings. Both goalies have had their issues against each team. According to Pregame.com, the public likes the Under here. And we don’t like to side with the public.
Take the OVER 6.5 (-110).
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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