Capitals Penguins Betting – Penguins Look To Take Down Capitals Without Crosby
When the NHL scheduled the next installment in the rivalry between the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins for this Sunday afternoon, they had to have been thinking it would be another chapter in the ongoing battle between superstars and captains Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby. But with the Penguins’ Crosby still out with concussion-like symptoms a new storyline has developed, as a Pittsburgh team that has been decimated by injuries continues to fight for a playoff position in the Eastern conference as sports betting underdogs.
Washington Capitals @ Pittsburgh Penguins
Sunday January 22, 2011 – 12:30 PM ET
CONSOL Energy Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
NHL best sportsbook Odds: Washington Capitals - 110
Along with their best forward and captain Crosby, the Penguins have also been without both their assistant and top defenseman Kris Letang, as well as center Jordan Staal long-term. Despite those injuries, Pittsburgh has managed to hang around in the top-eight, and can take another step towards a playoff spot when they host the Southeast division leaders.
Capitals Penguins Betting Preview: Washington Capitals
It took a while for the Capitals to get going under head coach Dale Hunter, and while they still have yet to peak, seven wins in 10 games helped elevate them past the Florida Panthers and in to first in the division. Consistency will be the key going forward in Washington, as the same team that beat the Montreal Canadiens 3-0 on Wednesday, had dropped a 3-0 decision to the New York Islanders the night before. The Capitals’ powerplay ranks fifth in the NHL at 19.5-percent, but will need to avoid taking dumb penalties of their own and hurting themselves.
Capitals Penguins Betting Preview: Pittsburgh Penguins
A rough skid sent the Penguins outside of the top-eight to open the month of January, but Evgeni Malkin and company responded with three straight wins to climb right back up to seventh, and they continue to show resiliency against the betting sites odds. While other teams would crumble without three of their best players, Pittsburgh has come together to get the job done, with Malkin’s 30 assists and 52 points each a team-high. The Penguins rank in the top-10 in the NHL in goals scored, goals against, powerplay percentage, and penalty kill percentage, and while the players have worked hard to put up those numbers, a lot of the credit should go to head coach Dan Bylsma, who has played a huge role in the team’s ability to handle the adversity that it has faced.
Capitals Penguins Betting Preview: Outlook & Pick
One of the most impressive storylines this season has to be the way that the Penguins have overcome injuries, and it will continue in this game. Pittsburgh has raised its level of play to that of its competition over the past couple of weeks, and will be anxious to prove it is still the better team when they host Ovechkin and the Capitals.
Capitals Penguins Betting Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins