Capitals vs. Lightning Pick
Can the Washington Capitals go on the road and keep their fast start going when they take on the Tampa Bay Lightning at 7:30PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, this game is considered even, as both teams are getting odds of -110 to win. The over/under total has been listed at 5.5 goals. Washington has won seven of the last eight meetings with the Lightning. These two meet from Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay, Florida.
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The Capitals are off to a 2-0 start in 2017 thanks to a 5-4 shootout win at Ottawa and a 6-1 win at home over the Canadiens on Saturday. Washington has been able to win while averaging just 25.5 shots per game and allowing 35.5 per contest. Alex Ovechkin is on an absolute year so far, posting seven goals in just two games. Evgeny Kuznetsov has been his set-up man, racking up seven assists so far this season. Braden Holtby has a .930 save percentage through two games.
The Lightning opened the season with a 5-3 win at home over the Panthers, but then suffered a 5-4 loss at Florida on the next night. Tampa is putting up just 27.5 shots per game right now while allowing 42 shots per game. The Lightning have had good balance in their scoring production, as four players have two goals. Brayden Point is leading the way with two goals and three assists. Andrei Vasilevskiy is struggling in net, posting a .408 GAA right now with a .905 save percentage.
The Capitals are looking great so far and fast starts have been the reason why. The Capitals have scored five goals in the first period through two games. A fast start can be possible today as well as the Lightning are allowing 17 shots per game in the first period. Washington hasn’t had much trouble with Tampa, winning seven of the last eight in the series. The lone loss also came in a shootout. Three of the wins have come in Tampa. I like the Caps to do it again tonight.
NHL DAILY PREDICTION: WASHINGTON CAPITALS -110