Now Sportsbooks of seven straight games, the Capitals will host the Blackhawks looking to extend their longest winning streak since December of last season. With a win and a Blue Jackets loss tonight, the Caps will take over the lead in the stacked Metropolitan Division. The ’Hawks, who are under immense pressure from the Minnesota Wild in the Central, are on a nice little four-game win streak of their own but could be in for a reality check in the nation’s capital tonight.
- The Blackhawks are 1-5 in their last 6 games against the Capitals.
- The Capitals are 8-2 in their last 10 games at home against teams with winning records.
- The Capitals are 13-4 this season when Alex Ovechkin scores a goal.
The Caps are the hottest team in the NHL right now and, like I’ve been saying most of the season, I’m pretty sure they’re one of the three best teams in the league. Their 5-2 beatdown of the Stanley Cup champs earlier this week was one of the best team performances I’ve witnessed this year and with Alex Ovechkin starting to seriously heat up (five points in his last two games), no Washington opponent is safe right now.
During their streak, the Capitals have scored 29 goals while giving up just 11 and goaltender Braden Holtby has posted two shutouts. He started the season a little methodically but he now boasts a 20-8-4 record, a 1.90 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage.
A serious advantage for the Caps tonight will be their stellar special teams play. Although their power-play numbers won’t blow you away, they’ve gone 3-for-6 with the man advantage their last two games and possess the third-best penalty kill in the NHL. The Blackhawks have improved their horrendous PK a little but it’s still the fourth-worst in the league at 76.3 percent.
It would take some solid arguments to sway me away from taking the Caps tonight but I encourage you to try.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The Chicago Blackhawks were listed as 122 underdogs on the NHL hockey moneyline earlier at Sportsbook. The over under total was set at 5 before betting started earlier on Friday at Sportsbook.
Odds Shark score prediction models pick a 3.8-1.6 result in favor of the Capitals today. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NHL matchups here.
Chicago Blackhawks vs Washington Capitals Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Washington Capitals are 27-9-5 so far on the season. The Chicago Blackhawks, meanwhile, are 27-12-5. OVER/UNDER betting fans have seen Washington go 16-16-9 and the Blackhawks go 14-20-10 on the totals. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Washington vs Chicago injuries news.
The Washington Capitals sit at No. 5 in the current NHL power poll here at Odds Shark, while the Chicago Blackhawks sit at a No. 19 on the same chart.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up the Washington Capitals No. 8-ranked offense (2.93 goals per game) against a Chicago Blackhawks defense that ranks No. 5 at 2.43 goals per game allowed. The Capitals Sportsbook has clicked at a 18.11% rate while the Blackhawks have a 76.27% rate on the penalty kill.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
In their last action, Chicago was a 4-3 Sportsbook at home against the Red Wings. Bettors on Chicago at -187 on the moneyline collected their winnings from that game, while the total score (7) sent OVER bettors home happy as well.
The Capitals were a 5-2 Sportsbook in their most recent outing at home against the Penguins. That made Sportsbooks of bettors who got Washington at -119 on the moneyline, while the total score (7) was good news for OVER bettors.
- Chicago is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
- Chicago is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
- Chicago is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games on the road
- Chicago is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
- Washington is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
- Washington is 5-10 ATS in its last 15 games at home
- Washington is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
- Washington is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Chicago
Next Betting Matchups
Chicago home to Minnesota, Sunday, January 15th
Washington home to Philadelphia, Sunday, January 15th
