Pittsburgh Penguins vs Washington Capitals Prediction, 1/18/2025 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Pittsburgh Penguins vs Washington Capitals

Date: Saturday, January 18, 2025

Location: Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

TV: Monumental Sports Network

Odds/Point Spread: Penguins (+132) Capitals (-160)

The Pittsburgh Penguins (18-20-8) are headed to Capital One Arena on Saturday where they will play the Washington Capitals (29-10-5). The odds on this game have the Penguins at +132 and the Capitals are sitting at -160. The betting total is set at 6.5.

The Pittsburgh Penguins will be looking to get a win in their next outing after their 4-2 loss to the Kraken their last time on the ice. Pittsburgh compiled 4 minutes in the box for this contest. Moreover, they had 1 chance on the power play but didn't convert it into a score. The Penguins had a below average offensive outing in the defeat. In the game, they netted 2 of the 33 shots they tried.

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While playing at even strength, the Penguins have allowed the opponent to score 143 goals while scoring 102 themselves. Pittsburgh Penguins opponents have tallied 125 power play opportunities (17th in the league) and have racked up 26 goals in those attempts. In the matter of their goal scoring prowess, the Pittsburgh Penguins have earned 136 goals (13th in the NHL) for the year and have surrendered 169. Pittsburgh has tried 1,317 shots and holds a shot percentage of 10.3%. For the year, they have recorded 44 points and their points percentage sits at .478. The Penguins have had 1,420 shots attempted against them and hold a save percentage of .881. Pittsburgh is sitting with 133 power play opportunities and they have tallied 34 goals out of those chances, giving them a rate of 25.56%.

The player guarding the cage in this matchup is Alex Nedeljkovic. Nedeljkovic has been involved in 160 matchups throughout his hockey career. He has compiled a record of 67-52-26 and he has gotten the start in 143 games. Opponents have tallied 449 goals against Nedeljkovic in his NHL career and his goals against average per contest is 3.42. Nedeljkovic has had 4,640 shot attempts against him and he has 4,191 total saves. His save percentage sits at .903 for his 7,868 minutes guarding the cage. Over the course of his pro career, Nedeljkovic has recorded 73 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .510.

In their last contest, Washington faced off against the Ducks in a matchup where the Capitals ended up with the win by a score of 3-0. The Capitals earned 3 goals out of the 25 shots on goal they tried. They had 2 power play opportunities in this contest but weren't able to notch a goal.

Washington has attempted 1,202 shots (24th in professional hockey) and has earned a shooting percentage of 13.23%, while allowing the other team 1,217 shots. They have earned a penalty kill rate of 83.58% on their opponents 134 tries on the power play, and their save percentage currently comes in at 90.9%. They have a total of 127 power play opportunities and they have a power play rate of 23.62%. The Capitals have 129 goals at even strength and 30 goals (9th in the league) while having more men on the ice. They have permitted 111 goals to be scored by way of 89 goals at even strength and 22 goals while they were shorthanded. During this campaign, the Washington Capitals have 159 goals, 63 points, as well as a points percentage of .716.

Across the rink you are likely to see Logan Thompson protecting the net. His opponents are averaging 3.18 goals/game and he has relinquished 317 goals altogether. Thompson's rate of quality starts is 60.2% and he has 71 quality starting assignments in his pro career. He has made the start in 118 games and his ice time sits at 5,982 mins. Thompson is the owner of a career record of 75-34-14 and has played in 127 games. He has gathered 3,359 saves out of 3,676 shots taken, which gives him a save percentage of .914.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Washington (-160)

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