Senators vs. Capitals: NHL Best Bets Odds, Picks & Predictions (Thursday)
We have a loaded 11-game slate of hockey on Thursday with some great matchups. Below, I give out my three best bets for Thursday’s NHL slate. And here’s a closer look at Senators vs. Capitals.
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Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
NHL Best Bets Odds, Picks & Predictions: Senators vs. Capitals
There is an Eastern Conference tilt with the Metropolitan Division’s Washington Capitals hosting the Atlantic Division’s Ottawa Senators. Both of these offenses are primed for positive regression, making the over an enticing play at six.
At 5-on-5, the Capitals rank 20th in the league in GF/60 but 16th in xGF/60. Meanwhile, the Sens rank 27th in the league in GF/60 but ninth in xGF/60.
Considering that both clubs rank in the bottom half of the league in xGA/60, six goals should not be too difficult to come by. Looking at the snipers on each team, there is more than enough firepower to register at least six goals between Claude Giroux, Alex DeBrincat, and, of course, Alex Ovechkin.
Slated to take the crease for Ottawa is goaltender Cam Talbot. While his surface-level stats are quite good, his underlying metrics suggest that regression is looming for the veteran netminder.
Among starting goaltenders, Talbot ranks just 25th in GSAx/60 at 5-on-5. The biggest concern in this contest is goaltender Darcy Kuemper, who is projected to start between the pipes for Washington.
He is the main reason this total is set at six instead of 6.5, but the expected positive regression for both teams offensively, mixed with below-average blue lines, should be enough to offset the difference he will make in the crease.
Best Bet: Over 6 (-110)
Best of luck!
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