Overview
The Detroit Red Wings visit the Verizon Center in Washington Wednesday when they take on the Capitals. The Red Wings and Capitals haven’t played too many games against each other over the past decade or so as they were in difference conferences but now that the Red Wings moved to the East last season they’ll meetup a lot more often. The Capitals have won 4 of the last 5 meetings overall versus the Red Wings and they have also won the last 4 straight in Washington.
Head to Head Trends
Home team is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings.
Red Wings are 0-4 in the last 4 meetings in Washington.
Washington Capitals (-123)
The Washington Capitals are 3rd in the Metropolitan Division with 10 points 2 points back of the 1st place New York Islanders. The Capitals are 4-4 on the season but a couple of their losses came in the shootout so at least they picked up a point in each of those games. The Capitals are averaging 3.1 goals per game on offense and are allowing just 2.4 goals per game on defense. With the Capitals a lot of their success this season has come down to special teams. The Capitals have the 3rd ranked power play at 25.9% and are about average on the penalty kill at 80% but over their last 4 games they have killed off just 66% of their penalty’s.
Washington Capitals Trends
Capitals are 5-2 in their last 7 vs. Eastern Conference.
Capitals are 6-0 in their last 6 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Detroit Red Wings (+111)
The Detroit Red Wings are 4th in the Atlantic Division with 10 points 6 points back of the 1st place Montreal Canadians. The Red Wings are 4-4 on the season with a couple of their losses coming in OT or the shootout just like the Caps. I don’t really know what to think of the Red Wings this season just yet. They don’t seem like a team that is going to score many goals and they do seem like a team that is all about defense but they’ve played a lot of 1 goal games so far and 4 of their games have actually gone to OT or the shootout so I think they might be the type of team as soon as their offense cools down just the slightest they will go into a bad slump.
Detroit Red Wings Trends
Red Wings are 1-4 in their last 5 road games.
Red Wings are 2-7 in their last 9 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Conclusion
I’m going with the Washington Capitals over the Red Wings in this one. Both teams have the exact same 4-4 record with 2 of their losses coming in OT or the shootout but the Capitals do have more firepower plus they’re at home so I think we’re getting a good price at just -123.
Free Pick: Washington Capitals -123
