Pittsburgh (0-0) at Washington (0-0)
When: Thursday, April 27th 2017
Where: Verizon Center, Washington, DC
Time: 7:35 ET | TV: NBC Sports Network
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The Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals will meet in a playoff series for the third time since 2009 and second consecutive season, when they play Game 1 of their second round series on Thursday night. Washington’s Alex Ovechkin had a team high-tying three goals in the first round series victory over the upstart Toronto Maple Leafs in six games. The Capitals posted a 2-0-2 mark in the season series, but the Penguins have won the two previous postseason encounters. T.J. Oshie matched Ovechkin in goals this season with 33 and was tied with Ovechkin as well as Justin Williams and Tom Wilson with three in the first round. Oshie exploded for six points (five goals, one assist) in last year’s Eastern semifinal loss to Pittsburgh and 10 (three goals, seven assists) in four regular-season meetings this season, a total that was eclipsed by Nicklas Backstrom’s 12 (four goals, eight assists). Washington tied Pittsburgh for third this season on the power play and sent 5-of-17 against the Maple Leafs in round one. Defenseman Karl Alzner is questionable for the series opener after missing the last four games versus Toronto because of an upper-body injury.
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When the Penguins eliminated the Capitals in 2009 and 2016, they ended up hoisting the Stanley Cup both times and hopes that history repeats itself. Captain Sidney Crosby has taken the first step on what he hopes is a deep playoff run by collecting seven points (two goals, five assists) in the Penguins’ five-game first-round series victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Evgeni Malkin had an NHL-best 11 points (two goals, nine assists) in the first round and six (five goals, one assist) versus Washington this season while linemate Phil Kessel added eight (two goals, six assists) and four (one goal, three assists), respectively. While the big names continue to shine, rookie Jake Guentzel (NHL-best five goals) and Bryan Rust (four goals) also made their presence known in the first round. Rust has 10 goals in 28 career playoff games, including eight in his past 13. Marc-Andre Fleury, who stepped in for fellow G Matt Murray (lower body) prior to Game 1 versus the Blue Jackets, had a .933 save percentage in the first-round series as opposed to .884 in three appearances against Washington this season.
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Washington might have the best record in hockey, but that doesn’t mean anything when they play Pittsburgh. The Penguins own the Capitals in games that matter and Crosby continues to outshine Ovechkin. I’m taking the Penguins for the series and in Game 1.
Pick: Penguins +120
W/L TRENDS
| Pittsburgh |
- Penguins are 4-0 in their last 4 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
- Penguins are 4-0 in their last 4 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
- Penguins are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
- Penguins are 4-1 in their last 5 overall.
- Penguins are 4-1 in their last 5 Thursday games.
- Penguins are 4-1 in their last 5 Conference Semifinals games.
- Penguins are 11-4 in their last 15 games following a win.
- Penguins are 42-16 in their last 58 vs. Metropolitan.
- Penguins are 64-28 in their last 92 vs. Eastern Conference.
- Penguins are 20-9 in their last 29 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game.
- Penguins are 51-23 in their last 74 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
- Penguins are 43-20 in their last 63 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
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| Washington |
- Capitals are 4-0 in their last 4 vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
- Capitals are 14-3 in their last 17 vs. Metropolitan.
- Capitals are 61-20 in their last 81 home games.
- Capitals are 6-2 in their last 8 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game.
- Capitals are 42-15 in their last 57 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
- Capitals are 39-15 in their last 54 overall.
- Capitals are 39-16 in their last 55 games following a win.
- Capitals are 36-15 in their last 51 Thursday games.
- Capitals are 38-16 in their last 54 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
- Capitals are 63-27 in their last 90 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
- Capitals are 37-16 in their last 53 vs. Eastern Conference.
- Capitals are 51-24 in their last 75 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
- Capitals are 1-4 in their last 5 Conference Semifinals games.
- Capitals are 1-7 in their last 8 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
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OU TRENDS
| Pittsburgh |
- Over is 5-1 in Penguins last 6 road games.
- Over is 13-3-2 in Penguins last 18 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
- Over is 4-1 in Penguins last 5 games following a win.
- Over is 14-4-1 in Penguins last 19 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
- Over is 20-7 in Penguins last 27 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game.
- Over is 19-7-3 in Penguins last 29 Thursday games.
- Over is 41-17-7 in Penguins last 65 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
- Over is 29-13-1 in Penguins last 43 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
- Over is 24-11-1 in Penguins last 36 vs. Metropolitan.
- Over is 34-16 in Penguins last 50 vs. Eastern Conference.
- Over is 21-10-2 in Penguins last 33 vs. a team with a winning record.
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| Washington |
- Under is 4-0 in Capitals last 4 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
- Under is 4-0 in Capitals last 4 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
- Under is 7-1-3 in Capitals last 11 vs. Metropolitan.
- Under is 6-1 in Capitals last 7 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
- Under is 6-1 in Capitals last 7 games following a win.
- Under is 6-1 in Capitals last 7 home games.
- Under is 5-1 in Capitals last 6 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
- Under is 5-1-2 in Capitals last 8 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
- Under is 4-1 in Capitals last 5 Thursday games.
- Under is 11-3-6 in Capitals last 20 Conference Semifinals games.
- Under is 13-4-2 in Capitals last 19 vs. Eastern Conference.
- Under is 3-1-1 in Capitals last 5 vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
- Over is 5-2-2 in Capitals last 9 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game.
- Under is 7-3-1 in Capitals last 11 overall.
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HEAD TO HEAD
- Over is 4-0-1 in the last 5 meetings.
- Home team is 8-0 in the last 8 meetings.
- Penguins are 1-4 in the last 5 meetings in Washington.
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Trends courtesy of SportsOptions.com – an UltimateCapper.com partner
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