Blackhawks vs. Capitals Prediction
Will the Washington Capitals handle the Chicago Blackhawks as a home favorite on Wednesday night when the two teams meet at 8:00 p.m. ET?
According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the Capitals are now -140 money line favorites to beat the Blackhawks, who opened as -145 money line underdogs. As for the total, the number currently sits at 5.5 goals after also hitting the board at that same number.
Chicago Blackhawks Injury Report
The Hawks will once again be without goalie Corey Crawford, who remains out with an undisclosed injury. Marian Hossa is also out for the year but Chicago is relatively healthy for tonight’s game in Washington.
Washington Capitals Injury Report
T.J. Oshie remains questionable with an upper body injury while Chandler Stephenson is probable with an upper body injury. The only other player on the Caps’ injury report is Andre Burakovsky, who is out with an upper body injury suffered two months ago.
As of this writing, the majority of public bettors are backing the Capitals to win tonight.
OUR PREDICTION: The Blackhawks haven’t won a game in Washington in their last six trips to the nation’s capital. They’re also 1-6 in their last seven meetings with the Capitals, while the home team has won in eight of the last 10 meetings between these two teams.
Chicago is also in the midst of a four-game losing streak, is 1-8 in its last nine road games versus a team with a home winning percentage greater than .600, and is 3-14 in its last 17 games when taking on an opponent with a winning record. The Blackhawks have failed to win in 13 of their last 19 road games as well.
On the other side, the Capitals are hot, winners of five of their last six games overall. They’re also 37-14 in their last 51 home games, are 14-5 in their last 19 games versus Central opponents, and are 45-15 in their last 60 games playing on one day of rest.
WEDNESDAY NHL PREDICTION: WASHINGTON CAPITALS -140