2016 NHL Futures – Series Picks
Looking for Penguins vs. Capitals free series predictions & playoff picks? You’ve come to the right place if you’re searching for NHL Futures. Sydney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin get so renew their rivalry, this time in the postseason. Cappers Picks covers all 2016 NHL Playoff series – so check back as we’ll be adding more.
NHL Lines & Matchup Insight
NHL Betting – Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Washington Capitals Second Round Series Preview and Picks
For the first time since 2009, Sydney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin get set to meet in the postseason.
Back in 2009, it was the kind of series you would expect between these two teams as it went the distance with Pittsburgh coming out on top. Game 2 of that series was one for the ages as both Crosby and Ovechkin turned in hat tricks.
Ovechkin would finish with 8 goals and 14 points, while Crosby would finish with 8 goals and 13 points.
Who’s got the edge here in 2016? Let’s break it down.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Washington Capitals Series Lines
- Washington Capitals -115
- Pittsburgh Penguins -105
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Washington Capitals Series Schedule
- THU APR 28, 2016 PENGUINS CAPITALS 8:00 PM CBC, NBCSN, TVAS
- SAT APR 30, 2016 PENGUINS CAPITALS 8:00 PM CBC, NBC, TVAS
- MON MAY 2, 2016 CAPITALS PENGUINS 8:00 PM CBC, NBCSN, TVAS
- WED MAY 4, 2016 CAPITALS PENGUINS 8:00 PM CBC, NBCSN, TVAS
- SAT MAY 7, 2016 PENGUINS CAPITALS TBD
- TUE MAY 10, 2016 CAPITALS PENGUINS TBD
- THU MAY 12, 2016 PENGUINS CAPITALS TBD
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Washington Capitals Series Forwards
Obviously for the Capitals it’s Alexander Ovechkin that leads the forwards. Ovechkin had a solid first round and had his best game in Game 2, where he turned in 2 power play goals.
Along with him, look for Nicolas Backstrom to be a huge key in this series. Backstrom had 7 points in the first round as he found the back of the net twice and set his teammates up 5 times.
This Capitals team was absolutely deadly on the power play against the Flyers. In fact, it’s where the series took a shift as the Capitals weapons were just too much to handle. Look for the PP unit to be a huge key here.
For the Penguins, they had 5 forwards who at least recorded one point in the series. This Pittsburgh team is deep offensively, but it’s obviously led by Sydney Crosby.
The star F had 8 points in Round One, grabbing 3 goals and 5 assists. Patric Hornqvist and Conor Sheary, who are on Crosby’s line, combined had 5 goals and 8 points.
Pittsburgh has a lot of weapons, but it ultimately falls on Crosby to spark those weapons.
Verdict: Both of these teams have the depth offensively. However, in the end your best player is what ignites an offense. Between Crosby and Ovechkin, whoever can spark their team will get their secondary players going. Small edge to the Caps here as Ovechkin has been more consistent this season.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Washington Capitals Series Defense and Goaltending
This is what makes the Capitals so good. They have defensemen who are threats to find the back of the net.
D John Carlson tallied three power play goals and had 6 points overall in the first round. Carslon and Matt Niskanen are the two biggest keys in the back for Washington. This duo logs to the most ice time and will likely have the same task here in the 2nd round.
G Braden Holtby has been absolutely nasty this season. He had two shut outs and has just a 0.84 GAA.
The Penguins are the deepest team in the NHL in terms of defense. They run 8 deep and see a lot of different guys getting ice time. Pittsburgh’s Kris Letang and Olli Maatta will be the two to watch here. Letang had 5 points in the first round and is always a threat to score.
In net, this is where things could get dicey. Pittsburgh essentially has three goalies to work with. Matt Murray started three games before getting injured and did a near flawless job. Jeff Zatkoff stepped in and came up big as he proved he has what it takes to be the #1.
However, Marc-Andre Fleury, who has been the #1 all season long could return from injury. It is still unclear which goalie will get the nod.
Verdict: While the Penguins are deep defensively, the Capitals have more offensive threats in the back. Give them the edge here on the defensive side as John Carlson is one of the best PP players in the league.
In net, things get interesting. Holtby is one of the best in the league. Take that, along with the uncertainty of the Penguins situation, give the edge to Washington.
Penguins vs. Capitals Free Series Predictions:
This will be a physical, back and forth, entertaining series.
Both teams have the ability to steal a road game, but they also have the ability to lay the hammer down and rattle off goals in bunches.
Momentum will be huge here in this series. Grabbing it and holding onto it is a must, as it will be drastically switching throughout in a series that can go either way.
Washington in 7.
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