The NHL playoff is back in action on Thursday night as the Pittsburgh Penguins will clash with the Washington Capitals at the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. The Penguins will go into these games on the wings of knocking the Washington Capitals out of the playoffs in the last two seasons.
Pittsburgh Penguins Form
The Pittsburgh Penguins were able to eliminate the Flyers in the first round of the playoff. The Stanley Cup champs are on the right track to return to the finals as their offence was great in the series so far as they scored 25 goals in the four wins. If we look at their stats the Penguins form is at 31-15 over their last 46 games. Pittsburgh away from stands at 20-24 so far and they have averaged 3.16 goals per game and have allowed 3.27 goals per game in those games.
In the playoffs, the Penguins have been in a very good offensive form as they are placed on the 1st spot in scoring an average of 4.67 goals per game, converting on 20.0% of their chances. At the defensive side of their game, they have been somewhat solid as they come on the 7th place in goals allowed, letting in an average of 2.50 goals per game, allowing the opposing teams to convert on 9.5% of their chances.
Washington Capitals Form
The Washington Capitals did not start the playoffs well as they lost the first two games to the Blue Jackets at home. However, the Caps were able to bounce back and won the last four games in that series. Yet, they are now facing their Nemesis – the Penguins, the team that knocked them out of the postseason for the last 2 years. That is why Washington will aim to have a good start in these series by winning the first game. The Capitals have a lot of potentials and they proved to be a match to the Penguins as they lost the tie in the 7th and final game. The Caps home form this season is 29-15 and they have averaged 3.34 goals per game and have allowed 2.61 goals per game in those games.
On the offensive side of their game, The Capitals come are placed at the 2nd spot in scoring during the playoffs at 4.00 goals per game, converting on 33.3% of their chances. Their defensive stats in the playoffs so far have been a bit below average as they come in on the 9th place in goals allowed, letting in an average of 3.00 goals per game, allowing the opposing teams to convert on 16.7 % of their chances.
The Caps played well in the series against the Penguins in the previous years, but that was not enough to get to the semifinals. However, it seems that they have gained momentum now with their 4 wins in a row against the Blue Jackets. On the other side, the Penguins did not meet the expectation and had a tough time against the Flyers. And even though their offence form has been very good so far, I still think that the Caps are in a better form and the timing is good for them to win the first game of this series. Go for the Capitals in this one.
My Free Pick & Prediction for Pittsburgh Penguins vs Washington Capitals today on 4/26/2018 is: Take the Washington Capitals -127 (money line bet)
Enjoy today’s free pick and (hopefully) another winner! Now, to get today’s premium picks from The Sports Betting Whale who has won tens of millions of dollars from betting on sports, click here to lock in your VIP access to The Whale Picks.
