NHL Predictions: Pittsburgh Penguins vs Washington Capitals, April 12th

The Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins clash once again. Welcome back to NHL Predictions here with Last Word On Hockey. Each day, we provide in-depth analysis, insights, and predictions for games around the NHL. In tonight’s matchup, Pittsburgh and Washington battle in what may be Alex Ovechkin‘s final game against the Penguins.

NHL Predictions

Washington Capitals and the Pittsburgh Penguins

Head-to-Head: Capitals 1-1 Penguins

How to Watch: TVAS, TVAS+, Sportsnet+, SN360, TNT, truTV, HBO MAX

Time: 3:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)

Penguins Story

Pittsburgh comes into this game off a 6-3 loss to the Washington Capitals yesterday. With the loss, the penguins are 6-4-0 in their last 10 games. However, with just two games left in the season, the Penguins have already qualified for the second spot in the Metropolitan Division. Guaranteed home ice in the first round of the playoffs, the organization is sitting tight to see which of four potential teams will win the third spot in the division, including the Capitals.

With the team electing to sit out a third of the roster to let players rest, expect a ton of new faces in today’s game. Defenceman Ryan Shea was one of the biggest stories both in the game and defensively this season. The former fourth-round pick has played 79 games up until this point and has six goals and 34 points on the year. Another player still in the lineup is forward Anthony Mantha. With a goal in yesterday’s game, Mantha is up to 32 goals and 62 points in 80 games this season. Finally, watch out for Egor Chinakhov as he continues to establish himself on the team following a trade from the Blue Jackets in December. Chinakhov has scored 18 goals and 36 points through 42 games with the Penguins. 

Expect Stuart Skinner to get the start in this game following Arturs Silovs’ loss yesterday. Skinner is 12-8-5 with an .886 save percentage following a trade from the Edmonton Oilers earlier in the year. However, now is a good time to remind you to always check official lineups before placing any kind of bet.

Capitals Story

Washington comes into this game off a 6-3 win over the Penguins yesterday. The Capitals kept their playoff hopes alive with the victory. They are one of three teams trying to catch the Philadelphia Flyers for the third spot in the Metropolitan Division. After a dominant win over a weakened Penguins squad, Washington will have to do it all over again in order to keep their playoff hopes alive today. 

One of the biggest stories at the moment is whether or not Ovechkin will retire at the end of this season. The greatest goal scorer in NHL history has put together 32 goals and 62 points in 80 games to lead his team in scoring. Another threat to watch out for is the massive line made up of Tom Wilson, Aliaksei Protas, and rookie Ilya Protas. Ilya Protas has quickly become a big story in Washington. The younger of the Protas brothers, Ilya, introduced himself to the Penguins with a goal and three points in his first game. He has four points in his first two games in the NHL. His brother, Aliaksei, has established himself as a reliable top-six forward in the league. He scored 25 goals and 52 points in 74 games this season. Finally, the glue behind the Capitals as a team, Tom Wilson, has scored 30 goals and 61 points in 71 games this season. 

Although Logan Thompson got the win yesterday, he may be called upon to play again today, as the other option for Washington is rookie goaltender Mitchell Gibson, who has yet to appear in an NHL game. 

Prediction

Similar to yesterday, expect a hungry Capitals team against a Penguins team that isn’t icing much of their best. Expect Washington to come away with another victory, inching closer to potentially making the playoffs. 

Prediction: Capitals win 5-3

Prop Bet of the Night

Expecting another high-scoring game in this one, a popular prop of goals over seven with odds of +138 is a good one. 

Please play responsibly, check for your local rules and age restrictions; some jurisdictions require ages 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.