While the Chicago Blackhawks are the hottest team in the NHL, there is no doubt that the best team in the league is the Washington Capitals. The Caps and their league-best 67 points host the suddenly-resurgent Vancouver Canucks Thursday night.
- The Canucks are 2-9 SU in their last 11 games after a win.
- The Capitals are 11-1 SU in their last 12 games after a win.
- The total has gone OVER in five of Washington’s last seven games.
The Caps have steamrolled the rest of the league so far this season and head into Thursday’s schedule with the second most goals in the league (139) and fewest goals allowed in the league (90). It shouldn’t take Pythagoras to figure out that their +49 goal differential is easily the best in the league.
It’s been mostly tough sledding for the Canucks this season but things may actually be turning around. In their last 10 games, the Canucks have posted a 6-2-2 record and find themselves just one point back of the Colorado Avalanche for that eight seed in the Western Conference.
Home/away splits are the narrative in this contest as the Caps have won their last 10 contests on home ice, while the Canucks have slumped to a 3-11 mark in their last 14 games away from home.
At -215 there might not be a ton of value with the Caps straight up, but they might be best viewed as a parlay banker when hosting teams sitting in the lower tier of the standings – including tonight.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Betting fans looking to back the visiting Vancouver Canucks before puck drop in this match found them as 193 moneyline underdogs at Sportsbook. They saw an Sportsbook total of 5, according to Sportsbook.
Odds Shark computer score prediction models pick a possible 3.8-1.6 win for the Capitals on Thursday. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NHL matchups here.
Vancouver Canucks vs Washington Capitals Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Washington Capitals are 32-7-3 so far on the season. The Vancouver Canucks, meanwhile, are 17-16-10. OVER/UNDER betting fans have seen Washington go 16-19-7 and the Canucks go 15-18-10 on the totals. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Washington vs Vancouver injuries news.
The Canucks - Capitals odds would favor the Capitals if the lines were set according to our power ranks. Washington is rated No. 1 in the current Odds Shark poll, while Vancouver is at No. 30.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up the Washington Capitals No. 2-ranked offense (3.31 goals per game) against a Vancouver Canucks defense that ranks No. 22 at 2.79 goals per game allowed. The Capitals Sportsbook has clicked at a 28.23% rate while the Canucks have a 78.83% rate on the penalty kill.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Vancouver was a 3-2 Sportsbook in its last match at home against the Panthers. They won as favorites, while the total score of 5 made Sportsbooks of PUSH bettors.
The Capitals were a 7-1 Sportsbook in their most recent outing at home against the Senators. That made Sportsbooks of bettors who got Washington at -182 on the moneyline, while the total score (8) was good news for OVER bettors.
- Vancouver is 3-11 SU in its last 14 games on the road
- The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Vancouver's last 9 games on the road
- Vancouver is 11-3 SU in its last 14 games when playing Washington
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Vancouver's last 6 games when playing Washington
- Washington is 13-2 SU in its last 15 games
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington's last 7 games
- Washington is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
- Washington is 3-11 SU in its last 14 games when playing Vancouver
Next Betting Matchups
Vancouver at Carolina, Friday, January 15th
Washington at Buffalo, Saturday, January 16th
