The Pittsburgh Penguins (34-30-11) and Washington Capitals (36-28-10) meet Thursday in a key battle for Eastern Conference Wild Card slots. Opening faceoff at Capital One Arena is slated for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Penguins vs. Capitals odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Pittsburgh is coming off a 6-3 triumph as a +151 underdog at the New Jersey Devils Tuesday — the Over (6.5) easily cashed. The Penguins found twine on 6 of 21 shots and have scored 11 goals over their last 2 games.
The Capitals also last played on Tuesday. They filed a 6-2 loss as -121 dogs at the Buffalo Sabres with the Over (6) hitting. Washington heads into Thursday’s tilt looking to snap a 3-game losing streak.
The Caps lead the season series 2-1-0.
Stream the NHL all season on ESPN+, with your team’s out-of-market Games, exclusive Games, originals and more. Get ESPN+ now!
Penguins at Capitals odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 10:34 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Penguins -110 (bet $100 to win $110) | Capitals -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Penguins +1.5 (-275) | Capitals -1.5 (+220)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Penguins at Capitals projected goalies
Tristan Jarry (19-24-5, 2.90 GAA, .903 SV%) vs. Darcy Kuemper (13-13-3, 3.32 GAA, .888 SV%)
Jarry has been out since March 24 with an illness. The veteran netminder had a shaky March, winning just twice in 9 decisions (2-6-1), while logging a lackluster .870 SV%. He has faced the Caps 3 times this season, notching an .854 SV% (41 saves against 48 shots).
Kuemper stopped all 4 shots he faced Tuesday in a 14-minute relief stint in Tuesday’s 6-2 loss at Buffalo. The 33-year-old netminder has only appeared in 3 games since Feb. 27.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Penguins at Capitals picks and predictions
Prediction
Penguins 4, Capitals 3
Moneyline
The Pens are 3-0-1 over their last 4 visits to Capital One Arena.
Pittsburgh is trying to climb out of a hole created by going 3-9-2 from Feb. 29-March 24. The Penguins have looked better of late, going 4-0-1 across their last 5.
Recent games have seen the Pens create solid chances in 5-on-5 play, but actual scoring in such situations has lagged behind.
TAKE PITTSBURGH (-110).
Puck line/Against the spread
PASS: Better leverage can be found on the ML.
Over/Under
The Over is 8-3 in Pittsburgh’s last 11 games and 5-1 in the Penguins’ last 6 games on road ice. The Over is also 8-3 in Washington’s last 11 games at home.
The netminders for both sides have been leaky of late, and the Penguins offense has some undervalue lean to it.
FanDuel Sportsbook has the best offering here: BACK OVER 5.5 (-122).
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
