The Tampa Bay Lightning (1-1-0) faces the Washington Capitals (1-0-0) Saturday at Capital One Arena in Washington D.C. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Lightning vs. Capitals odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.
The Lightning was surprised 6-2 by the Pittsburgh Penguins at home Tuesday. Tampa Bay appeared to be in line for a second straight loss on the road against the Detroit Red Wings Thursday, but it rallied with three goals in the final 6:17 to force overtime, eventually winning 7-6.
The Capitals were impressive with a 5-1 win over the New York Rangers in the nation’s capital Wednesday, and they’ll head into this one well-rested. Alex Ovechkin opened with a power-play goal and a shorthanded score.
Lightning at Capitals odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:15 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Lightning -130 (bet $130 to win $100) | Capitals +105 (bet $100 to win $105)
- Against the spread (ATS): Lightning -1.5 (+180) | Capitals +1.5 (-250)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -120 | U: -105)
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Lightning at Capitals projected goalies
Andrei Vasilevskiy (1-1-0, 4.50 GAA, .845 SV%) vs. Ilya Samsonov (13-4-1, 2.69 GAA, .902 SV%, 2 SO in 2020-21)
Vasilevskiy hasn’t been himself so far, coughing up nine goals through his first two starts. Head coach Jon Cooper obviously knows what he has in Vasilevskiy, and he’ll snap back on track thanks to a rather long leash.
Samsonov was nailed to the bench for Wednesday’s opener, as Vitek Vanecek made the surprise start. Samsonov won his only previous NHL start against the Lightning on Dec. 14, 2019, stopping 26 of 28 shots.
Lightning at Capitals odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Capitals 5, Lightning 4
Money line
The CAPITALS (+105) are a value play on home ice as short ‘dogs. The Lightning (-130) just haven’t been hitting on all cylinders yet, allowing six goals in each outing.
To be fair, three of the goals in Tuesday’s game were of the empty-net variety due to Cooper’s decision to pull his goalie early. If you’re going to get Vasilevskiy, you have to get him early. Once he snaps into form, he is unbeatable.
Against the spread
The Capitals +1.5 (-250) will cost you two-and-a-half times your potential return if you’re looking for a little insurance. That’s just too expensive.
AVOID, and just play the Caps on the money line instead.
Over/Under
OVER 6.5 (-120) is the play, even though that’s a rather high number for the NHL. The Lightning has allowed 12 goals through two outings, hitting the Over in each. The Caps pushed on the number in Game 1.
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