A massive Metropolitan Division matchup takes place tonight in DC when the Pittsburgh Penguins take on the Washington Capitals.
NHL odds have this affair priced as a pick'em which is no surprise considering just three points separate these two in the standings — which is also why this game means so much.
Washington is holding onto the final Wild Card spot by the skin of its teeth, and with Pittsburgh inching closer to that spot, will its captain show up?
Find out what I think in my free NHL picks for the Penguins vs. Capitals on April 4.
Penguins vs Capitals odds
Penguins vs Capitals predictions
Sidney Crosby is a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer and will go down as one of the game's greats. He wasn't known for his scoring but when his team needs it, The Kid can provide it.
After netting 33 goals last year, Crosby sits with 39 which would put this as the highest total he's had in a single season since 2017. What's more impressive is how much he's scoring with the Pittsburgh Penguins' backs against the wall. The last couple of games have been must-win for the Pens, and he's responded by netting two goals in back-to-back outings.
Crosby doesn't shoot as often as most people approaching 40 tallies, but he has a very efficient 15.1% shooting percentage this season and makes his shots count.
The Washington Capitals should provide Sid with plenty of chances to score tonight. The Caps are giving up 3.15 goals per game this season (20th) but that number has risen to 3.4 over their last 10. I believe a big reason for that is the exhaustion of netminder Charlie Lindgren.
The 31-year-old goalie has been a huge surprise this season, posting a 21-14-6 record with a very respectable 2.81 GAA and .909 SV%. This play landed him the No. 1 spot over Darcy Kuemper, but with Washington in must-win territory for the last month, it's had to rely on Lindgren a little too much.
Tonight marks the 11th straight game he'll start for the Caps, and exhaustion was clearly showing in their 6-2 loss in Buffalo where the Sabres scored three goals in the first six minutes of the third.
In his last five starts, he's giving up 3.2 goals per game and the only reason that looks somewhat respectable was due to the shutout he posted against a slumping Winnipeg offense.
With the Pens needing every point they can get and the Capitals' defense faltering, I expect Crosby to put his team on his back once again and find the back of the net.
My best bet: Sidney Crosby anytime goalscorer (+145 at bet365)
Penguins vs Capitals same-game parlay
Sidney Crosby anytime goalscorer
Sidney Crosby Under 3.5 shots on goal
Alex Ovechkin anytime goalscorer
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As I mentioned above, Crosby doesn't need many opportunities to find the score sheet. He scored twice against New Jersey on two shots; the game before that, he scored twice against New York on three. This is a mark Crosby has passed just three times in his last 10 outings as he likes to find his spot rather than firing away.
Alex Ovechkin will never miss a chance to shine against Crosby and he'll be just as hungry to help his team get the W. Ovi is goalless in five straight since scoring in five straight, and lack of trying isn't what's stopped him. He's registered 17 shots on net over that noted span and his 10.4% shooting percentage proves "The Great 8" is due for positive regression.
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Penguins vs Capitals moneyline and Over/Under analysis
- The Penguins opened up as very slim favorites but the majority of books have since moved this game to a pick'em.
- The Caps are 36-38 on the ML this season while the Penguins are 34-41.
- The total opened up at a flat 6.0 and has stayed there as of writing, with slight juice on the Under.
- Pittsburgh has an O/U mark of 31-39-5 while Washington has a more middling O/u record of 34-36-4.
Penguins vs Capitals betting trend to know
The Capitals have cashed the third-period game total Under in 19 of their last 40 games at home (+7.25 units / 17% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Penguins vs. Capitals.
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Penguins vs Capitals game info
| Location: | Capital One Arena, Washington, DC |
| Date: | Thursday, April 4, 2024 |
| Puck drop: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | SN-PIT, MNMT |
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