Capitals vs. Islanders Pick
Are the host New York Islanders going to keep Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals at bay tonight at 7PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Islanders are a -120 favorite on the spread line. The over-under is set at 6 goals.
Washington enters with an 18-11-1-0 record after a 4-2 home win over the Rangers on Friday night. New York is 16-10-2-1 following a 3-1 loss at the Bruins Saturday night. The Capitals won the season’s first meeting 4-3 on their home ice Nov. 3. The Islanders are 3-2 in five meetings since the start of last season, while the over is 3-2.
Nicklas Backstrom and Tom Wilson led the way with a goal and an assist each in the win against the Rangers. Jay Beagle and Matt Niskanen also scored a goal. Braden Holtby saved 27 of 29 shots sent his way. Niskanen and Wilson scored in the game’s final four minutes to break a 2-2 deadlock.
New York was paced by Anders Lee as he scored the team’s lone goal in the loss at Boston. Josh Bailey and Mathew Barzal each notched an assist. Jaroslav Halak recorded 30 saves on 32 shots. Lee cut the deficit to 2-1 with a goal with under four minutes left, but the Bruins put it away with an empty-net goal in the final minute.
The under is 5-2-1 in the last eight meetings in New York. Washington is on a four-game win streak.
Washington is on a nice roll and benefits from having an extra day of rest, but the Islanders are 8-1-1-1 at home this season and show up to play every time in their home arena. New York will certainly be up for this game and my prediction is that John Tavares outplays Alexander Ovechkin to send the hosts to a win.
NHL DAILY PREDICTION: NEW YORK ISLANDERS -120