The Washington Capitals (5-0-3) face the Tampa Bay Lightning (4-3-1) Monday at Amalie Arena in Tampa. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Capitals vs. Lightning odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.
The Capitals have yet to lose in regulation through eight outings. The Caps picked up a 2-0 win over the Arizona Coyotes Friday. It was their second straight Under result. Washington is 3-0-3 at home, including a 2-1 overtime loss to Tampa Oct. 16 in the first season meeting between the two.
The Lightning also faced the Coyotes most recently, winning 5-1 Thursday at home. Tampa has a pair of back-to-back 5-1 wins, including a victory at the Pittsburgh Penguins Tuesday. The Over is 3-0-1 in the previous four for Tampa.
Capitals at Lightning odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:01 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Capitals +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Lightning -155 (bet $155 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Capitals +1.5 (-200) | Lightning -1.5 (+150)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -125 | U: +100)
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Capitals at Lightning projected goalies
Ilya Samsonov (3-0-1, 2.43 GAA, .904 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Andrei Vasilevskiy (4-2-1, 2.53 GAA, .911 SV%)
Samsonov was rarely tested last time out against the Coyotes Friday, stopping all 16 shots he faced. He wasn’t in net for the first meeting vs. Tampa Bay.
Vasilevskiy allowed just one goal on 25 shots to push past Arizona, and he has won back-to-back starts. He was in the crease for that 2-1 overtime win in Washington Oct. 16, stopping 32 of the 33 shots he faced.
Capitals at Lightning odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Lightning 4, Capitals 2
Money line
The LIGHTNING (-155) are the play at home against the Capitals in this battle of the past two Stanley Cup winning teams. Tampa Bay generally defends its home ice with plenty of success, and it is 51-22 across the past 73 as a home favorite, too. Washington, on the other hand, is just 1-5 in the past six as an underdog, and 2-6 in the past eight as a road dog.
Against the spread
The LIGHTNING -1.5 (+150) are worth a roll of the dice at this price. This won’t be a slam-dunk play and might come down to an empty-net goal. Tampa has covered its past two games on the puck line.
Over/Under
OVER 5.5 (-125) is the lean here, although again, I could see this coming down to an empty-netter to make the difference in the end.
The Over is 3-0-1 in the past four games for the Lightning, averaging 3.5 goals per game on offense, while allowing 2.8 goals per game on defense.
The Capitals are averaging 4.0 goals per game to rank sixth in the NHL, and they’re middle of the road with 2.7 goals per game allowed, checking in 12th.
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