Penguins vs Capitals Prediction NHL Picks Free 03/25

© Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

NHL Game Preview: Capitals vs. Penguins

The Washington Capitals and the Pittsburgh Penguins are set to face off in an exciting Metropolitan Division matchup on March 25, 2023. With both teams fighting for playoff spots, this game is sure to be a thrilling battle to the end. According to NHL picks experts and computers, the Penguins are the slight favorites going into this game. However, NHL picks em predictions and NHL today experts suggest that the Capitals are more than capable of pulling off an upset. In terms of NHL picks and parlay bets, this game could go either way. NHL experts picks today may lean towards the Penguins, but the Capitals have multiple talented players who can make a difference on the ice. For those looking to make the best NHL bets today, it's important to consider the NHL picks with spread and NHL predictions today. Both teams have strong offensive capabilities, so a high-scoring game could be in the cards. Ultimately, this game will come down to which team can execute their game plan the best. NHL picks for today indicate that this will be a close and exciting game from start to finish, with the Penguins and Capitals leaving everything on the ice in their quest for victory.

Capitals Offensive Analysis:

The Washington Capitals have been a solid offensive team all season, with Alexander Ovechkin leading the way with an impressive 41 goals and 30 assists. They have a record of 31-6-4 in games where they score three or more goals. However, their offense has been inconsistent over their last 10 games, averaging 4.1 goals per game but giving up an average of 3.4 goals per game. On the other hand, the Pittsburgh Penguins have struggled defensively all season, giving up 229 goals while only scoring 228 for a -1 scoring differential. They have a record of 8-9-5 against the Metropolitan Division and a record of 35-26-10 overall. With injuries to key players like Jeff Petry and Jan Rutta, the Penguins' defense will be even more vulnerable. Overall, the Capitals have a more potent offense and should be able to score against the struggling defense of the Penguins. Experts, computer systems, and prediction sites should all favor the Capitals' offense in this matchup. Expect the Capitals to exploit the Penguins' defensive struggles and put up big numbers on the scoreboard. Consider taking the Capitals as the best NHL bet today and also consider NHL picks and parlay options.

Capitals: Defensive Analysis

In terms of defense, the Washington Capitals have struggled this season, allowing an average of 3.19 goals per game, which ranks 21st in the league. However, they do have a solid penalty kill unit that ranks 11th in the NHL, with an 82.6% success rate. If the Capitals are going to have success against the Pittsburgh Penguins, they will need to tighten up defensively and limit the number of high-quality scoring chances they allow. One key to the Capitals' defensive success will be the play of their goaltender, who will likely be either Vitek Vanecek or Ilya Samsonov. Both goalies have had their ups and downs this season, but if they can get into a rhythm and make timely saves, it could go a long way in helping the Capitals secure a win. Another factor that could impact the Capitals' defensive performance is the return of defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk, who is currently day-to-day with a personal matter. If van Riemsdyk is able to suit up, he could provide a boost to the Capitals' defensive depth and help solidify their back end. Overall, the Capitals will need to improve their defensive play if they want to come away with a win against the Penguins. While they have struggled in this area all season, they have shown flashes of strong play at times, and if they can harness that and play a full 60 minutes of sound defensive hockey, they could emerge victorious. Based on our nhl picks experts and nhl picks em predictions analysis, we recommend considering capitalizing on odds for the Capitals with spread and parlay bets.

Penguins: Offense Analysis

The Pittsburgh Penguins have been struggling with their offense recently, which could be a concern heading into their game against the Washington Capitals. In their last 10 games, the Penguins have only managed to average three goals per game, which is not enough firepower to take on a team like the Capitals. Rickard Rakell has been one of the top performers for the Penguins in terms of scoring, with 25 goals and 25 assists. However, he will need the support of his fellow teammates to keep up with the Washington offense. Jake Guentzel has been on a hot streak lately, with seven goals and four assists in his last 10 games, but he will need to continue this momentum to give the Penguins a chance to win. The Penguins will also need to improve their power play, as they only have a 17.9% success rate this season. They will need to capitalize on their opportunities against a tough Washington defense. In terms of NHL picks and predictions, experts and computer models are favoring the Capitals in this matchup. The Capitals have a strong offense led by Alexander Ovechkin, who has 41 goals and 30 assists this season. Dylan Strome has also been a key contributor with four goals and 11 assists in his last 10 games. Overall, the Penguins will need to step up their offense and work together as a team if they want to come out on top in this game. The best NHL bets today may not be in favor of the Penguins, but they have the talent to surprise the experts and make a statement in this Metropolitan Division matchup.

Penguins: Defensive Analysis

The Pittsburgh Penguins will face off against the Washington Capitals in Metropolitan Division action on March 25, 2023. In this game, the Penguins will need to focus on their defense to secure a win. Despite having a -1 scoring differential, the Penguins have given up fewer goals than they have scored. This indicates that their defensive play has been solid for the most part. However, they have struggled against teams within their division, with an 8-9-5 record against the Metropolitan Division. To improve their record, they will need to tighten up their defense and limit their opponents' scoring opportunities. Rickard Rakell is a standout performer for the Penguins, with 25 goals and 25 assists this season. In addition, Jake Guentzel has been hot over the last 10 games with seven goals and four assists. These players, along with the rest of the Penguins' defensive core, will need to work together to shut down Alexander Ovechkin and the Capitals' offense. The Capitals have a strong record in games where they score three or more goals, with a 31-6-4 record. The Penguins will need to focus on preventing the Capitals from reaching this benchmark by playing disciplined defense and limiting turnovers. Injuries may also impact the Penguins' defense, with Marcus Pettersson and Dmitry Kulikov out of the lineup. However, their experienced defensive core should be able to fill in any gaps and maintain a strong defensive presence. Overall, the Penguins' defense will be crucial in securing a win against the Capitals. By limiting scoring opportunities and shutting down the Capitals' offense, they will give themselves the best chance to come out on top. NHL Picks experts and computer predictions may favor one side or the other, but it will ultimately come down to which team executes their defensive strategy better on game day.

Injury Report

Heading into this Metropolitan Divison matchup, both teams have a few key injuries to note. The Pittsburgh Penguins will be without defenseman Marcus Pettersson (undisclosed) and center Nick Bonino (kidney). Additionally, defenseman Jeff Petry is considered day-to-day with an upper body injury, while defenseman Dmitry Kulikov is out with a lower body injury and Jan Rutta is out with an undisclosed injury. On the Washington Capitals side, forward Carl Hagelin remains out with a hip injury. Defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk is considered day-to-day due to personal reasons, and forward Connor Brown is out with a lower body injury. While both teams are dealing with some injuries, the Capitals seem to have a slightly healthier roster heading into this matchup. This may play a factor in their ability to secure a win over the Penguins. As always, bettors should keep these injuries in mind when making their NHL picks and predictions for this game.

Prediction:

This game promises to be an exciting matchup between two teams fighting for a playoff spot. The Penguins have the home advantage, but the Capitals have been playing well lately, especially when they score three or more goals. It's tough to call a winner, but expect a high-scoring game with both teams giving it their all.

Pick: Capitals (Moneyline)