Washington Capitals vs Detroit Red Wings Prediction, 12/31/2021 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Washington Capitals vs Detroit Red Wings

Date: Friday, December 31, 2021

Location: Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, MI

TV: Bally Sports Detroit

Odds/Point Spread: Capitals (-134) Red Wings (+112)

The Washington Capitals (19-6-7) are traveling to Little Caesars Arena on Friday where they will play the Detroit Red Wings (15-13-3). The moneyline on this game has the Capitals at -134 while the Red Wings are at +112. The over/under comes in at 6.

The Washington Capitals will head into their next game feeling good after earning a 5-3 win over the Predators in their last contest. Washington compiled 41 mins in the box in this matchup. The Capitals had a impressive offensive outing in the victory. Moreover, they had 6 opportunities with more players on the ice but weren't able to convert one of them into a goal. In the outing, they scored on 5 out of the 37 shots they attempted.

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The Capitals have had 909 shots tried against them and have a save percentage of .909. At even strength, the Capitals have allowed the opponent to score 68 goals while notching 97 when they are on offense. Washington Capitals opponents have totaled 83 power play opportunities (23rd in the NHL) and have come away with 15 goals in those attempts. For the season, they have recorded 45 points and their points percentage comes in at .703. Washington has taken 1,031 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 10.8%. When talking about their scoring, the Washington Capitals have earned 111 goals (3rd in hockey) on the campaign and have conceded 83. Washington has accumulated 96 power play chances and they have notched 14 goals out of those attempts, giving them a rate of 14.58%.

The player in the crease for this game is Ilya Samsonov. In his professional hockey career, Samsonov has tallied 26 quality starts and his quality starts percentage sits at .473. His save percentage currently sits at .908 during his 3,473 minutes on the ice. Samsonov has had 1,650 shot attempts against him and has recorded 1,498 total saves. The opposition has scored 152 goals versus Samsonov in his pro career and his goals against rate is 2.63. He has earned a win-loss record of 41-12-5 and he was named the starter in 55 games. Samsonov has played in 62 contests throughout his NHL career.

When they took the ice last, Detroit faced the Devils in a matchup where the Red Wings took home the victory by a final of 5-2. They had 3 power play attempts in this contest but weren't able to score a goal. The Red Wings notched 5 goals out of the 30 shots on goal they tried.

Detroit has attempted 905 shots (23rd in hockey) and has a shot percentage of 9.61%, while allowing the opposition 1,037 shots. They have earned a penalty kill rate of 76.47% on their opponents 85 power play opportunities, and their save percentage currently sits at 90.0%. They have a tally of 83 power play chances and they have earned a power play rate of 15.66%. The Red Wings are sitting with 74 goals at even strength and 13 goals (27th in hockey) while having a power play advantage. They have allowed 104 goals to be scored by of a combination of 84 goals at even strength and 20 goals while they had less men on the ice. For the season, the Detroit Red Wings have 87 goals, 33 points, as well as a points percentage of .532.

On the other side of the ice you will find Thomas Greiss protecting the goal. Greiss is sitting with a career mark of 151-111-36 and has played in 330 contests. Greiss' quality start percentage is 55.5% and he has accumulated 161 quality starts in his pro career. He has recorded 8,289 saves out of the 9,075 shots taken, which gives him a save percentage of .913. Opponents are averaging 2.67 goals/game and he has relinquished 786 goals altogether. He has started in 290 games and has played for a total of 17,668 minutes.

Who will win tonight's hockey game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Washington (-134)

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