Washington Capitals vs Pittsburgh Penguins 02/02/2020 NHL Picks, Betting Odds and Predictions

Washington Capitals vs Pittsburgh Penguins 02/02/2020 – Metropolitan Division rivals Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins will meet on the ice Sunday afternoon inside the Capital One Arena in D.C. as the clash will also feature arguably two of the best NHL players in recent memory, Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby. Both teams are slugging out for supremacy in the division. The Capitals currently have the upper hand at the top of the standings with three more wins and six more points over the second-placed Penguins. An intense battle awaits these two powerhouse squads as the NHL betting lines favor the home team with a slight edge to win the match.

Washington Capitals vs Pittsburgh Penguins 02/02/2020

When: Sunday, February 02, 12:30 PM ET

Where: Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C

TV: NBC Sports Network

Stream: SofaScore

Washington Capitals vs Pittsburgh Penguins 02/02/2020 Betting Odds:

Team	SP/RL	TOTAL	ML
Washington Capitals	-1.5 (+170)	6.5 o (-120)	-140
Pittsburgh Penguins	+1.5 (-200)	6.5 u (-103)	+120

Washington Capitals

Alex Ovechkin made up for the lost time when he posted a total of three goals in his last two games following his suspension for missing the All-Star Game. Ovechkin had a goal and an assist on Wednesday’s loss the Predators while he scored twice in their bounceback win against the Senators on Friday, surpassing Mark Messier in the NHL All-Time Scoring list with 695. 

Friday’s victory also gave Washington Capitals their fifth win in their last six contests and they are seventh in their last 10. John Carlson remains as the team’s leader in points with 62 while Ovechkin has tied Boston’s David Pastrnak for a league-best 37 goals. 

Players to watch: John Carlson (GP 52, G 13, A 49, PTS 62), Alex Ovechkin (GP 51, G 37, A 17, PTS 54), Evgeny Kuznetsov (GP 49, G 17, A 27, PTS 44).

Pittsburgh Penguins

Sidney Crosby has been stellar since returning from his two-month injury layoff. In his six games after the surgery, the Pittsburgh star has already registered four goals and has set up teammates seven times. 

Crosby was responsible for giving Penguins their escape OT win over Philly on Friday, 4-3, which is their seventh victory in the last nine games. Evgeni Malkin continues to lead the team in points with 53, two of which also came on Friday where he put up a goal and an assist, respectively.

Players to watch: Sidney Crosby (GP 23, G 9, A 19, PTS 28), Bryan Rust (GP 37, G 22, A 23, PTS 45), Evgeni Malkin (GP 38, G 16, A 37, PTS 53)

Washington Capitals vs Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Predictions

Trends

Capitals

Capitals are 7-0 in their last 7 Sunday games.
Washington is 4-1 in their last 5 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Capitals are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Over is 4-0-1 in Capitals last 5 overall.
Over is 4-0-1 in Washington’s last 5 games as a favorite.
Over is 3-0-1 in Capitals last 4 vs. Eastern Conference.

Penguins

Penguins are 9-1 in their last 10 vs. a team with a winning record.
Pittsburgh is 9-2 in their last 11 games playing on 1 days rest.
Penguins are 4-1 in their last 5 games as an underdog.
Over is 6-1 in Penguins last 7 vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 12-4 in Pittsburgh’s last 16 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Under is 5-2 in Penguins last 7 vs. Eastern Conference.

Capitals vs Penguins Betting Picks

Rivalries always bring out the best in the protagonists so expect a highly intense showdown between the Capitals and Penguins. Both have been performing pretty well over their last outings, and their confidence must be at the top. 

Although it’s just a regular season game, pride is already being put to the test, and the Capitals will not allow their own to take a hit in front of their home crowd. It will be really tight but expect Washington to pull through win the win.

Score Prediction: Capitals 4, Penguins 3.