The Pittsburgh Penguins host the Washington Capitals in game 4 of their NHL betting playoffs series, which the Pens lead 2-1. Following two straight losses, the Caps pulled within one game with a 3-2 overtime win on Monday. Kevin Shattenkirk scored the game-winning goal – his first of the Stanley Cup Playoffs – on a power-play goal 3:13 into OT. Pittsburgh entered the game converting 30% of their power plays, but Washington killed their opponents’ five opportunities.
Time: 7:30 PM
Venue: PPG Paints Arena
Sportsbook odds for fans who bet on hockey:
Capitals -1½ (+250) 5½ (+120) -120
Washington
Recent form: The Caps have won four of their last six games and 15 of their last 21 – including six of their last seven on the road – but are 4-8 in their last 12 meetings with the Penguins.
News: “We dropped two games here,” head coach Barry Trotz said before game 3. “We’re going to go [to Pittsburgh] to win two games there.” That’s one down and one to go, but in order to tie – and eventually win – the series the Caps need to smooth out a few kinks. “At the end there, we’ve got to find a way to close it out [in regulation],” right wing T.J. Oshie said. “It’s happened a couple too many times to us here in the playoffs. I like our response in OT, with [Johansson] doing a great job driving to the net and drawing that [penalty] and then closing it out.”
Trends for fans who bet on hockey: The Capitals have too concerned about coming back from behind to worry about covering the spread. Washington is 0-5 ATS in the last five overall games and 1-4 ATS in the last five on the road. The NHL betting total has gone under in four of the Caps’ last five contests and in four of Washington’s last six road games.
Pittsburgh
Recent form: The Pens had a three-game winning streak – as well as a five-home game winning streak – snapped on Monday. They have won six of their last eight overall.
News: Hey, is that Bad News Barrett over there? Pittsburgh will be without captain Sidney Crosby and winger Conor Sheary – both are out with concussions. The Penguins have recalled forwards Josh Archibald and Oskar Sundqvist from their American Hockey League Wilkes-Barre/Scranton affiliate, but it’s Evgeni Malkin who will need to step up and lead the Pens by example. Pittsburgh is no stranger to fighting adversity, though; the Pens have won six playoff games without Matt Murray and Kris Letang. Trends for fans who bet on hockey: Unlike the Caps, the Penguins have picked up the Ws as well as covered, going 8-1 against the spread in the last nine games, and 5-0 ATS in the last five at home.
The NHL betting total has gone over in four of the Pens’ last six games, under in five of Pittsburgh’s last six at home, and over in four of the Penguins’ last six times hosting the Capitals.