The Nashville Predators (26-23-7) and Washington Capitals (28-23-7) meet in the NHL tonight. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. EST at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
The Capitals are favored by -1.5 on the puck line, with the over/under set at 6.5 (-110o / -110u). The Capitals are a -180 favorite to win outright, while the Predators are +145 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Predators vs. Capitals predictions and NHL picks.
Predators vs. Capitals Odds, Pick
| Predators Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -166 | 6.5 -110o / -110u | +145 |
| Capitals Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +140 | 6.5 -110o / -110u | -180 |
- Predators vs. Capitals Spread: Capitals -1.5 (+140 ), Predators +1.5 (-166)
- Predators vs. Capitals Over/Under: 6.5 (-110o / -110u)
- Predators vs. Capitals Moneyline: Predators +145, Capitals -180
Predators vs. Capitals Preview
Nashville Predators
To say that this season has been totally weird for the Predators is a gigantic understatement.
You truly never know what’s currently going on with this franchise and a new wrinkle in the season is that general manager Barry Trotz is resigning from his position.
Alas, Nashville has still secured points in five consecutive games, including going toe-to-toe with the Minnesota Wild in an eventual 6-5 overtime loss. Not just that, it’s still only four points away from the final playoff spot.
But on the ice, this has been an incredibly bipolar squad. Over the past two weeks, the Preds have been playing to a top-10 5-on-5 offense with a 54.73 xGF%, but on the defensive end have been sluggish with a bottom-five 3.21 xGA/60.
What version do we see tonight? It’s hard to say, but signs point to this being a rough outing for Justus Annunen, who’s playing to an .888 SV% and a 2.1 GSAx in his past 10, which is actually better than his partner Juuse Saros, who played last night.
That GSAx suggests to me that his defense has been hanging him out to dry, which makes sense when you look at Nashville’s xGA/60. Because Saros, who’s the higher-regarded netminder, has been dreadful all season.
Washington Capitals
If there was a team that is amped up for this Olympic break, it would be the Capitals.
Washington has been hammered with injuries down the stretch, losing forward Connor McMichael, but also both of its netminders in Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren.
Because of that, the Caps have had to rely on third-stringer Clay Stevenson, who has been thrown into the fire. He hasn’t looked out of place, though, winning two out of his three starts, and posting a .904 SV% and 1.4 GSAx.
If I had to guess, Stevenson is getting rolled out once more. Why not, right? Otherwise, they’ll have to turn to Garin Bjorklund, who is not ready for NHL competition.
Apart from the goaltending, Washington seems to be in a similar position to tonight’s counterparts. Exceptional on the offensive end, but lacking on the defensive end.
Over the past two weeks, the Caps have been playing an exceptional 5-on-5 offense, with a fifth-best 55.01 xGF%, but a rough 2.83 xGA/60.
Predators vs. Capitals Prediction
Both of these teams will be on their third game in four nights, so the boys may look like they’re skating in mud tonight.
But one part of this game that I didn’t preview earlier was special teams. Washington has one of the worst special teams in the league, with a surprisingly bad 15.8% power play success rate and a 78.5% penalty kill. Not just that, the Caps commit penalties at a bottom-10 rate.
So this is a really strong opportunity for Nashville to take advantage here.
I’m not super bullish on the Preds, but if I had to pick either of these teams in a battle, it would probably be them.
Additionally, I’m not so certain that Stevenson, who prior to this season had only played one NHL game, can hold his own against NHL competition three times in four nights.
So pardon me if I’m a little skeptical. But the Preds have won me big money before, and I really think there’s a solid opportunity here.
If that +154 price is too rich for your blood, consider taking the over too. These defenses stink with questionable goaltending. What more can you ask for?
Pick: Nashville Predators ML (+154) OR Over 6.5 (-108)
