Tampa Bay Lightning vs Washington Capitals Prediction, 3/1/2025 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Tampa Bay Lightning vs Washington Capitals

Date: Saturday, March 1, 2025

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

TV: Monumental Sports Network

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

The Washington Capitals (38-12-8) will try to beat the Tampa Bay Lightning (33-20-4) at Capital One Arena on Saturday. The odds on this game have the Lightning at +132 while the Capitals are sitting at -160. The over/under is set at 6.5.

The Tampa Bay Lightning came out of this game feeling pretty good about themselves with a 4-1 win over the Oilers in the last game they played. Tampa Bay earned 2 mins in the box in this game. The Lightning had a good offensive outing in the victory. They also had 3 chances with the advantage and were able to net 1 goal. In the game, they tallied a score on 4 of the 36 shots they launched.

Get all of our Free NHL Picks

Pertaining to their scoring capabilities, the Tampa Bay Lightning have accounted for 204 goals (3rd in the National Hockey League) so far this year and have given up 154. For the current campaign, the have a total of 70 points and their points percentage is sitting at .614. Tampa Bay skates onto the rink with 159 power play opportunities and they have tallied 43 goals during those advantages, earning them a percentage of 27.04%. When at even strength, the Lightning let the opposition score 126 goals while notching 161 on offense. Tampa Bay has attempted 1,657 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 12.3%. The Lightning so far have had 1,639 shots tried against them and have earned a save percentage of .906. Tampa Bay Lightning opponents have totaled 142 power play tries (26th in hockey) and have earned 28 goals in those attempts.

The player guarding the cage in this matchup is Andrei Vasilevskiy. In his professional hockey career, Vasilevskiy has recorded 295 quality starts and his quality starts rate is .576. His save percentage currently is at .917 during his 28,159 mins in the crease. Vasilevskiy has had 15,647 shot attempts against him and has gathered 14,348 total saves. Opponents have tallied 1,299 goals versus Vasilevskiy in his pro career and his average for goals against per game is 2.77. He has compiled an overall record of 320-158-33 and he has started in 512 games. Vasilevskiy has participated in 522 games throughout his hockey career.

When they were on the ice last, Washington faced off against the Flames in a matchup where the Capitals were on the wrong end of the score by a tally of 3-1. The Capitals tallied 1 goal out of the 27 shots on goal they tried. They had 3 power play attempts in this one and tallied 1 out of those opportunities.

Washington has taken 1,604 shots (22nd in professional hockey) and has accumulated a shot percentage of 13.22%, while allowing the other team 1,600 shots. They have a penalty kill rate of 82.14% on their opponents 168 power play opportunities, and their save percentage currently sits at 90.9%. They have a total of 164 power play opportunities and they have a power play rate of 24.39%. The Capitals have earned 172 goals at even strength and 40 goals (8th in pro hockey) while on the power play. They have permitted 146 goals to be scored by of a combination of 116 goals at even strength and 30 goals while they were shorthanded. For the year, the Washington Capitals have earned 212 goals, 84 points, as well as a points percentage of .724.

Across the ice you will find Charlie Lindgren patrolling the crease. Lindgren has amassed a career record of 66-48-15 and has been in net for 136 games. Lindgren's percentage of quality starts is 57.8% and he has made 74 quality starting assignments in his pro hockey career. He has gathered 3,482 saves out of the 3,839 shots attempted, which gives him a percentage of .907. His opponents are averaging 3.40 goals per game and he has relinquished 357 goals altogether. He has made the start in 128 games and has been on the ice for 6,294 minutes.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Washington (-160)

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here