The Washington Capitals (36-30-11) visit the Detroit Red Wings (38-31-8) Tuesday at Little Caesars Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Capitals vs. Red Wings odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: Tied 1-1
The Capitals lost 3-2 in overtime on Sunday to the Ottawa Senators as the Under (6) cashed, and Washington is 0-4-2 in the past 6 outings. As a result, the Caps have slipped 1 point behind the Red Wings and the Pittsburgh Capitals for the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, and 2 points back of the New York Islanders for the 1st Wild Card spot.
The Red Wings have picked up the pace, posting wins in 2 of the past 3 games, including a surprising 4-2 win in Tampa Bay against the Lightning on April 1. The Under has cashed in 4 of the past 5 outings.
The last time these teams met in Washington on March 26, the Caps won 4-3 in overtime as the Over (6) cashed. The total has gone high in both meetings, with 18 total goals in the 2 outings.
Stream the NHL all season on ESPN+, with your team’s out-of-market games, exclusive games, originals and more. Get ESPN+ now!
Capitals at Red Wings odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:16 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Capitals +130 (bet $100 to win $130) | Red Wings -155 (bet $155 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Capitals +1.5 (-190) | Red Wings -1.5 (+155)
- Over/Under: 6 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Capitals at Red Wings projected goalies
Darcy Kuemper (13-14-3, 3.31 GAA, .890 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Alex Lyon (20-17-4, 2.98 GAA, .908 SV%, 2 SO)
Kuemper was bombarded with 44 shots in Raleigh against the Carolina Hurricanes last time out on Friday, allowing 3 goals in a 4-2 loss. He has lost his past 3 starts, last winning Feb. 26 at home against the Ottawa Senators. He has fallen into a backup role behind Charlie Lindgren.
Lyon is confirmed to start. He allowed just a single goal on 38 shots in a 3-1 win against the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday, and he is a Healthy 2-1-0 with a 2.37 GAA and .938 SV% in 3 April starts.
Lyon allowed 4 goals on 30 shots in the 4-3 OTL against the Capitals in D.C. on March 26 in his most recent start against Washington, but he allowed 3 goals on 21 shots in an 8-3 win on Feb. 27 in the Motor City.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Capitals at Red Wings picks and predictions
Prediction
Red Wings 5, Capitals 3
Moneyline
The RED WINGS (-155) are a solid play as moderate favorites, as the home team has won 4 of the past 5 meetings in this series, with Detroit holding a slight 3-2 edge in the 5-Game span.
The Red Wings are playing slightly better hockey lately, too, as the Capitals (+130) have really struggled recently, and are now on the outside looking in for a playoff spot.
Puck line/Against the spread
The RED WINGS -1.5 (+155) are worth a roll of the dice on the puck line for the chance to potentially win 1 1/2 times your initial wager.
Detroit has won by 2 or more goals in each of its past 3 wins in the series, so if you like the Red Wings to pick up the victory, you should like them to cover the puck line.
Over/Under
OVER 6 (-110) is a decent bet in this important Eastern Conference battle between playoff hopefuls.
The Over has cashed in both meetings this season, and 3 of the past 4 in the series.
The Over is just 2-3-1 in the past 6 Games for the Capitals, but one of those Games was a home meeting against the Red Wings on March 26. The same holds true for the Caps, as the Under is 5-2 in the past 7 Games, but one of the Games which went high was against the Winged Wheel.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
