Capitals vs. Lightning Prediction
The Washington Capitals have finally made deep run in the playoffs and now begin the Eastern Conference Finals series against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Can Washington go on the road and get the victory in Game 1 tonight?
Game Snapshot
23 Washington Capitals at Tampa Bay Lightning
Friday, May 11, 2018
Amalie Arena at 8PM ET
TV: NBCSN
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers, the Lightning are a -185 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Capitals are a +165 underdog, while the total is set at 6 goals. As of Friday morning, 51 percent of public bets are coming in on host Tampa Bay. Check out our NHL Public Betting Page for the latest info.
Kuznetsov sends Caps to conference finals
The Washington Capitals’ playoff run continued in spectacular fashion when Evgeny Kuznetsov got loose on a breakaway and snuck one past Pittsburgh goaltender Matt Murray with 14:33 left in overtime to send his squad to 2-1 victory in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The Penguins had previously defeated Washington in three series’ in recent postseason history. It was Kuznetsov’s seventh goal of the playoffs. Alex Chiasson scored his first goal of the postseason early in the second period to give the Capitals a 1-0 lead, while Pittsburgh tied it up later in the second on a Kris Letang goal. Braden Holtby saved 21 of 22 shots in the win.
Lightning dominate Bruins
Tampa Bay showed how strong it can be when on top of its game as it eased past Boston in five games, winning Game 5 by a count of 3-1. JT Miller, Brayden Point and Anton Stralman scored the goals in the victory. The Lightning actually trailed 1-0 through one period and it remained that way until Point tied it up midway through the second. Miller gave Tampa Bay a 2-1 advantage with six minutes left in the second period, while Stralman scored his first goal of the playoffs with 1:29 left in regulation to add an insurance tally. Andrei Vasilevskiy made 28 of 29 saves to notch the victory.
NHL Betting Trends
Washington
The Capitals are 10-1 in their last 11 road games. The home team is 20-7 in the last 27 meetings.
Tampa Bay
The over is 4-0 in the last four Lightning games on a Friday. The over is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings in Tampa Bay.
Prediction:
Washington survived a thriller of a series against Pittsburgh and should be competitive in this series, but coming off a grueling seven games and facing a well-rested Tampa Bay Team at Amalie Arena is too tall of a task. The moneyline is big for a reason. Take the hosts or consider the puck line, which is at +155 for the -1.5 on the Lightning.
NHL DAILY PREDICTION: TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING -185