Washington Capitals vs New York Islanders Prediction, 12/29/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Washington Capitals vs New York Islanders

Date: Friday, December 29, 2023

Location: UBS Arena in Elmont, NY

TV: MSG

Odds/Point Spread: Capitals (+135) Islanders (-165)

The New York Islanders (16-9-9) will play the Washington Capitals (17-10-5) at UBS Arena on Friday. The moneyline on this matchup has the Capitals at +135 and the Islanders open at -165. The betting total comes in at 7.

The Washington Capitals were on the losing side of the ice with a 5-1 loss against the Rangers in their previous contest . Washington had 6 mins in the box in this contest. They also had 2 opportunities with more players on the ice but didn't get a goal. The Capitals had a rough night on the offensive side of the ice in the defeat. In the game, they scored on 1 out of the 27 shots they put on goal.

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Washington Capitals opponents have tallied 101 power play tries (26th in the league) and have come away with 18 goals in those attempts. The Capitals have had 983 shots taken against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .910. Washington has taken 899 shots and holds a shot percentage of 8.3%. At even strength, the Capitals have allowed the opponent to score 70 goals while scoring 64 when they are on offense. Washington has tallied 91 power play chances and they have scored 11 goals out of those attempts, earning them a percentage of 12.09%. For the season, they have earned 39 points and their points percentage is sitting at .609. In terms of their scoring, the Washington Capitals have earned 75 goals (31st in the National Hockey League) so far this year and have surrendered 88.

The player between the pipes for this game is Darcy Kuemper. The opposition has racked up 902 goals versus Kuemper in his NHL career and his goals against average per game is 2.57. Kuemper has been in net for 373 games during his pro hockey career. He has a save percentage of .915 for his 21,074 minutes played. He has accumulated an overall mark of 173-128-45 and he started in 355 games. Throughout his time in hockey, Kuemper has 195 quality starts and his quality starts percentage sits at .549. Kuemper has seen 10,638 shot attempts taken against him and has garnered 9,736 saves.

In their last outing, New York faced off against the Penguins in an outing where the Islanders were on the wrong end of the score by a final of 7-0. The Islanders scored 0 goals of the 22 shots on goal they were seeking. They had 2 power play opportunities in this contest but were not able to net one.

New York has tried 1,014 shots (22nd in the league) and has a shooting percentage of 10.16%, while allowing the opposition 1,210 shots. They have a penalty kill percentage of 71.84% on the other teams 103 power play chances, and their save percentage comes in at 90.7%. They have recorded 95 power play opportunities and they have a power play percentage of 24.21%. The Islanders have accumulated 80 goals at even strength and 23 goals (14th in hockey) while on the power play. They have allowed 112 goals to be scored by of a combination of 83 goals at even strength and 29 goals while they had less men on the ice. During this campaign, the New York Islanders have 103 goals, 41 points, in addition to a points percentage of .603.

On the other side of the ice you are going to see Ilya Sorokin defending the goal. Opponents are averaging 2.47 goals per game and he has allowed 381 goals overall. Sorokin's quality start rate sits at 68.4% and he has 106 quality starts in his NHL career. He has started in 155 contests and has played 9,254 minutes. Sorokin has a career mark of 80-51-25 and has played in 158 games. He has racked up 4,454 saves out of the 4,835 shots taken against him, which gives him a percentage of .921.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Guy's Pick: Take Washington (+135)

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