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The opening week of the 2023-24 NHL season brings an exciting Metropolitan Division showdown to Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., as the Pittsburgh Penguins face off against the Washington Capitals. We delve into the matchup to provide you with the best betting pick and odds for Penguins vs. Capitals.

Pittsburgh aims to secure its second consecutive victory over Washington in this early-season clash. The Penguins enter as -118 moneyline favorites, while the Capitals play as +105 underdogs on their home turf, with a total of 6.5 goals set for the game.

Penguins' Season Opener

The Pittsburgh Penguins kicked off the 2023-24 season with an unexpected 4-2 defeat at home against the Chicago Blackhawks. After Bryan Rust and Sidney Crosby provided a 2-0 lead for Pittsburgh, the team allowed four unanswered goals, ultimately leading to their defeat.

In terms of statistics, the Penguins outshot the Blackhawks 40-36 but struggled in the final ten minutes of the third period, conceding three goals. Pittsburgh dominated in faceoffs, winning 67.8 percent, but faltered on the power play, going 0-for-2, and had eight giveaways throughout the game.

Tristan Jarry tended the net in the season opener, making 32 saves out of 35 shots faced. The 28-year-old goaltender is expected to return between the pipes for the upcoming game. In his career against Washington, Jarry holds a record of 5-4-1 with a 3.08 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage. Last season, he posted a 24-13-7 record with a 2.90 GAA and a .909 save percentage.

Capitals' 2023-24 Outlook

The Washington Capitals commence their 2023-24 campaign, aiming to bounce back from a disappointing 2022-23 season. The Capitals finished with a 35-37-10 record last season, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014 and landing sixth in the Metropolitan Division.

In terms of scoring, the Caps ranked 20th in the NHL with an average of 3.09 goals per game and 18th in goals against, allowing 3.18 per game.

Alex Ovechkin, the 38-year-old winger, will continue to lead the Capitals' charge. Ovechkin was the team's top scorer in the previous season, tallying 75 points (42 goals, 33 assists), though he finished with a minus-16 rating. Evgeny Kuznetsov and Dylan Strome also contributed offensively, but the team will look to address their defensive struggles from last season.

In goal, Darcy Kuemper is expected to guard the net against Pittsburgh. Kuemper, 33, holds a career record of 3-4-1 against the Penguins with a 3.08 GAA and a .910 save percentage. After winning the 2022 Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche, Kuemper joined the Capitals and posted a 22-26-7 record with a 2.87 GAA and a .908 save percentage in the 2022-23 season.

Prediction