Free NHL Hockey Prediction: Lightning vs Capitals NHL Odds
Looking for Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Washington Capitals free hockey plays & NHL Odds? NHL betting sees the Lightning taking on the Capitals on Wednesday, March 20th at Capital One Arena, Washington. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NHL Hockey games all season long so stay tuned for more FREE daily NHL hockey predictions like this Lightning Capitals matchup.
(56-13-4) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Washington Capitals (42-23-7)
Date: Wednesday, March 20th
Time: 7:30 PM
Venue: Capital One Arena in Washington, DC
NHL Hockey Moneyline Odds: Lightning -139
NHL Hockey Puck Line Odds: OFF
NHL Betting Total: 6.5
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It’s an Eastern Conference throwdown on Wednesday when the Atlantic-leading Lightning square off with the Capitals who are in a tie for 1st in the Metropolitan. Both teams are hot, going 16-4 over their last 20.
Tampa Bay comes into Capital One Arena on a 5-game winning streak but it’s Washington that needs this win more. The Capitals are tied at 91 points with the Islanders while TB has a clear path with home ice throughout the playoffs as they’ve already clinched the President’s Trophy.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Obviously you don’t want to limp into the playoffs, but with the President’s Trophy already clinched, when does Tampa Bay ease off the gas an prep for the postseason? They definitely haven’t done that yet, winning five straight including a 6-3 win over these Capitals on Saturday.
The Lightning have rattled off 21 goals over the last five games, a major reason Wednesday’s O/U is 6.5 despite two solid goaltenders in net. Nikita Kucherov vs. Alex Ovechkin is going to be a good one and the TB RW comes into the contest with an amazing 117 points.
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Andrei Vasilevskiy hasn’t had to do a whole lot with so much offensive support in front of him but the TB goaltender has still been great. Vasilevskiy has won 9 of his last 10 starts, holding six opponents to 2 goals or less over that span.
Washington Capitals
The Caps are playoff bound regardless of what happens on Wednesday but the defending champs still want to flex their muscles vs. a team that has been crowned as the heir apparent. Schedule makers aren’t doing Washington any favors however, putting them up against New Jersey on Tuesday night.
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The Capitals are going with Pheonix Copley on Tuesday in a very winnable game vs. the Devils which will at least save Braden Holtby for the back-to-back. Holtby has wins in 6 of 8 including holding five opponents to 2 goals or less.
NHL Betting Trends:
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- Lightning are 42-10 their last 52 overall
- Lightning are 40-14 their last 54 vs. a team with a winning record
- Capitals are 8-2 their last 10 overall
- Lightning are 8-21 the last 29 in Washington
4* Free NHL Betting Pick: Lightning -139
The only thing that would do in Tampa Bay on Wednesday would be complacency but it’s kind of sweet beating the defending champs even if the Lightning have met all their goals so far for the season. Washington wants to show they’re still the top dogs, but that’s tough to do playing on 0 days rest vs. the best team in the league.
NHL Free Score Prediction: Lightning 5 – Capitals 3
The Lightning have too much talent even beyond Kucherov as Tyler Johnson and Steven Stamkos are the difference makers in this one.
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