NHL Odds, Preview, Expert Pick & Prediction: Red Wings vs. Capitals (February 21)

Red Wings vs. Capitals Odds

The Detroit Red Wings look to continue their hot streak as they visit the Washington Capitals. Prior to their most recent loss against Seattle, the Wings won five in a row and are firmly placed perfectly in the playoff hunt.

Washington has struggled mightily as of late, especially recently losing in the Stadium Series in Carolina. The Capitals are currently going through a four-game losing streak, and hope to break it in front of their home fans.

Here’s a look at our odds, as well as our prediction for the Detroit Red Wings vs. Washington Capitals.

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Detroit Red Wings

The Red Wings are making a push and it’s all on the back of captain Dylan Larkin. Larkin’s having a great season, averaging over a point per game. Tyler Bertuzzi is also having a solid stretch with six points in his last four games.

Aside from them, Dominik Kubalik is an exceptional top six piece, and Moritz Seider is getting hot at the right time with six points in his last six games. They will be missing sophomore Lucas Raymond, however, which will pose a hole in Detroit's top six.

Despite the push Detroit is making, it’s still one of the worst offensive teams in the league. It’s currently 27th in expected goals with a 45.66 xGF% and is second worst in generating high danger chances.

I’ve liked what I’ve seen on the defensive end from the Wings. They’re constantly improving, only allowing 3.2 goals a game and are ranked 12th in expected goals against (xGA)

I would think Ville Husso starts Tuesday, as backup Magnus Hellberg started two games ago. Husso has had an OK first season in Detroit posting a -3.3 goals saved above expected (GSAx) and a .904 SV%.

Washington Capitals

Washington has dealt with its fair share of games lost. Alex Ovechkin will not be suiting up due to the death of his father, and veteran defenseman John Carlson has also been out for a while. The Caps will be relying solely on the shoulders of Evgeny Kuznetsov and Dylan Strome. Once guys like Ovechkin and Carlson are back, perhaps the Caps momentum will rise.

It’s been about as average as you can get on even strength. Washington stands 16th with a 51.3 xGF% and is fairly middle-of-the-road when it comes to creating high danger chances.

Similarly on the backend, the Caps steer towards the middle of the pack. They do a decent job at keeping the puck out of their net, allowing 2.9 goals per game, but their xGA is much left to be desired.

I think we see Darcy Kuemper take the crease tonight, for good reason, as he’s had a stellar first year in the nation’s capital. The former Cup winning goalie is playing to a solid +7.5 GSAx and a .914 SV%.

Red Wings vs. Capitals Pick

Given how hot the Wings have been and how cold the Capitals have been, I think we are getting great value here on Detroit as an underdog. Likewise, it's tough to overstate the impact of Ovechkin's absence. The Caps haven’t won a game since he departed.

Husso is traditionally a great goalie against the Capitals. In the four career times he’s faced off against Washington, he’s 3-0-1 with a .935 SV%. I like Kuemper’s stats against the Wings too (3-3-1, .911 SV%), but it seems like Husso has their number more.

Everything I’ve seen out of the Capitals as of late, I just haven’t liked, and the Red Wings have been dynamite. Detroit’s poor even strength numbers only reflect on the whole season, but given the hot streak, things have gotten better on that end.

Pick: Red Wings +126 or Better

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