Washington (37-16-5) at Vegas (30-22-8)
When: Monday, February 17th, 2020
Where: T-Mobile Arena,
Las Vegas, NV
Time: 6:08 ET | TV: NBCSN
Opening Odds: Las Vegas -128/6.5
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With the hockey world following Alex Ovechkin’s pursuit of 700 goals, the Washington Capitals’ superstar is mired in his longest goal drought of the season entering the finale of a three-game road trip. The Capitals visit the Vegas Golden Knights on President’s Day looking to get back on track in the race for another division title. Ovechkin’s drought is at five games, but Las Vegas might be a place where a spark can be lit since he helped Washington hoist the Stanley Cup here two years ago. The Capitals are just 3-5 in their last eight games and have seen their lead in the Metropolitan Division shrink to one point over the surging Pittsburgh Penguins. Ovechkin has scored 23 of his team-leading 40 goals on the road this season and 24 in his career versus Vegas’ Marc-Andre Fleury. The former Pittsburgh netminder is riding the momentum of turning aside all 19 shots he faced for his 60th career shutout in the Golden Knights’ 1-0 victory over the New York Islanders on Saturday. Vegas is 5-2-1 in its last eight games to move within one point of the Vancouver Canucks in the tight Pacific Division race.
The Capitals have split the first two games on their road trip after a 3-1 loss at the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday, but boast an NHL-best 21-7-1 mark away from home. Carl Hagelin has nine points (four goals, five assists) in his last 11 games after scoring Washington’s lone goal versus the Coyotes. Nicklas Backstrom has a point in four of his last five games and scored twice in a 5-2 home victory versus Vegas on Nov. 9. Evgeny Kuznetsov has missed the last two games with an upper-body injury and won’t play on Monday. The Capitals return home to play the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday.
Winger Mark Stone leads the team in assists (37) and points (57) after collecting nine points over his last five games after collecting four assists in Vegas’ 6-5 overtime win versus St. Louis on Thursday. Reilly Smith netted the only goal in the win over the Islanders on Saturday to give him 22 on the season – three short of a career best. Max Pacioretty leads the team with 26 goals and scored in the first meeting with Washington. The Golden Knights, who lead the NHL with 34.6 shots on goal per game, will host Tampa Bay on Thursday.
Since their Stanley Cup encounter two years ago, the home team has won the last three regular season matchups. The Capitals do play well on the road, but the Knights are just playing better hockey right now.
Pick: Golden Knights -130
Capitals are 5-1 in their last 6 vs. Pacific.
Capitals are 9-2 in their last 11 games as an underdog.
Capitals are 9-2 in their last 11 games as a road underdog.
Capitals are 6-2 in their last 8 vs. Western Conference.
Capitals are 19-7 in their last 26 road games.
Capitals are 40-15 in their last 55 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Capitals are 90-44 in their last 134 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Capitals are 3-9 in their last 12 Monday games.
Golden Knights are 4-0 in their last 4 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Golden Knights are 4-1 in their last 5 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Golden Knights are 4-9 in their last 13 vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Golden Knights are 2-5 in their last 7 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Golden Knights are 3-10 in their last 13 Monday games.
Over is 8-2 in Capitals last 10 games as an underdog.
Over is 8-2 in Capitals last 10 games as a road underdog.
Under is 4-1 in Capitals last 5 vs. Pacific.
Over is 7-2-1 in Capitals last 10 Monday games.
Over is 8-3 in Capitals last 11 games playing on 1 days rest.
Under is 5-2 in Capitals last 7 vs. Western Conference.
Over is 17-7 in Capitals last 24 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 17-7 in Capitals last 24 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 7-3-1 in Capitals last 11 overall.
Over is 9-1-1 in Golden Knights last 11 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 8-2-1 in Golden Knights last 11 games following a win.
Over is 4-1 in Golden Knights last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
Over is 7-2 in Golden Knights last 9 games as a home favorite.
Over is 7-2 in Golden Knights last 9 home games.
Over is 3-1-1 in Golden Knights last 5 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 3-1-1 in Golden Knights last 5 vs. Eastern Conference.
Over is 6-2 in Golden Knights last 8 vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Over is 9-4-1 in Golden Knights last 14 games as a favorite.
Favorite is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
Home team is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
Capitals are 6-1 in the last 7 meetings.
Over is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings.
