The Washington Capitals (30-10-5) welcome their longtime rivals, the Pittsburgh Penguins (19-20-8), to Capital One Arena for a crucial Metropolitan Division matchup on Saturday night.
The first-place Capitals enter the contest riding a three-game winning streak while showcasing the NHL's stingiest defense, allowing just one goal in their last three games and averaging a mere 2.47 goals against per game this season.
Washington's offensive firepower has been equally impressive, with Dylan Strome and Aliaksei Protas combining for 30 goals and 52 assists, while veteran Alexander Ovechkin continues to contribute significantly to their 3.56 goals per game average.
The visiting Penguins, despite their struggles this season, have shown signs of life with a recent 5-2 victory, led by Sidney Crosby's line which has accounted for a significant portion of their offense.
The contrast between Washington's league-leading defense, anchored by goaltender Logan Thompson's .924 save percentage, and Pittsburgh's defensive challenges, allowing 3.67 goals per game, sets the stage for an intriguing divisional battle.
As these longtime rivals prepare to face off in what promises to be another memorable chapter in their storied rivalry, both teams' recent trajectories suggest this Metropolitan Division clash could have significant implications for their respective playoff aspirations.
Washington Capitals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins: who will win?
For tonight's Washington Capitals vs Pittsburgh Penguins matchup, our predictive model gives the Caps a 74.67% chance of defeating the Pens.
Washington Capitals: 74.67% win probability
- League-leading defense (Only 113 goals against in 45 games)
- Excellent offensive production (160 goals for, ranking among top teams)
- Strong recent form (WWWLW in last 5 games)
Pittsburgh Penguins: 25.33% win probability
- Poor defensive record (175 goals against, worst in Eastern Conference)
- Inconsistent performance (19-20 record in 47 games)
- Struggling road form (Recent form WLLLW shows inconsistency)
At Sporting Post, our unique prediction model combines insights from top NHL experts. Instead of sifting through hundreds of expert analyses across the web, you can rely on our predictions to understand the market's overall sentiment. We scan trusted sources, analyzing predictions, data, and opinions, and our AI assigns a confidence level to each prediction. We then average these levels to produce an 'expert opinion' win probability—reflecting the collective intelligence of the industry's leading NHL experts.
Washington Capitals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins odds
| Washington Capitals | Pittsburgh Penguins | |
|---|---|---|
| moneyline | -220 (via bet365 US) | +185 (via DraftKings Sportsbook) |
Key stats
- 1The Washington Capitals have won 30 out of 45 matches this season.
- 2The Pittsburgh Penguins have won 19 out of 47 matches this season.
- 3With 65 points, the Washington Capitals holds the 1st position in the league standings.
- 4Pittsburgh Penguins's 46 points place them 13th in the rankings.
Washington Capitals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins form
Washington Capitals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins head to head
Washington Capitals
33%
Pittsburgh Penguins
67%
Nov 9, 2024
Washington Capitals
2 : 4
Pittsburgh Penguins
Apr 4, 2024
Washington Capitals
1 : 4
Pittsburgh Penguins
Mar 8, 2024
Pittsburgh Penguins
0 : 6
Washington Capitals
Jan 3, 2024
Pittsburgh Penguins
3 : 4
Washington Capitals
Oct 13, 2023
Washington Capitals
0 : 4
Pittsburgh Penguins
Mar 26, 2023
Pittsburgh Penguins
4 : 3
Washington Capitals
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