KEY POINTS

  • Washington Capitals are huge favorites on Tuesday
  • Los Angeles Kings visit D.C.
  • Capitals seek to gain ground after shaky return from break

The current rate that the Washington Capitals have been playing since the All-Star break is not quite keeping up with the pace they had played in their first 50 games of the season. After notching .500 in their last four games after the break, the best team in the NHL will try to pick up their gait when they host the Los Angeles Capitals on Tuesday.

After getting slipped past by their division rivals Pittsburgh Penguins last Sunday, the Capitals are now served with a lighter task of beating the Kings who are the second-worst team in the league.

Washington Capitals

Sunday’s Metropolitan Division tussle lived up to its billing after both the Capitals and Penguins served a highly competitive ice battle that finished with Pittsburgh outlasting Washington, 4-3. As a result, the Capitals’ buffer at the peak of the division is cut to just four points, 75-71, in the process serving them their second loss in a row inside Capital One Arena.

One obvious factor to the latest defeat was Alex Ovechkin being held in check by the Penguins. The star captain went scoreless for the first time in six games after collecting 11 goals during the prior scoring streak.

Los Angeles Kings

The misery would not stop for the Kings who have now lost six of their last seven games and 17 of their last 25. Overall, they have accounted for just 19 wins in 53 games in total.

Anze Kopitar stays in his own course of facilitating despite the dreadful showing his team has been exhibiting this season. Since returning from the break, he has been responsible for four goals in three games, putting his total assists to 30 and points to 47 which are both the highest tally in the club.

Odds and Trends

The Capitals are obvious faves priced at -245 against +205 for the Kings.

The Capitals are 4-1 in their last 5 Tuesday games and 4-1 in their last 5 vs. Western Conference.

The Kings are 4-1 in their last 5 Tuesday games and 4-1 in their last 5 games playing on 2 days rest.

Over is 5-1 in Capitals last 6 vs. a team with a winning % below .400.

Under is 7-3 in Kings last 10 games as a road underdog.

Prediction

Capitals 5, Kings 1

ovechkin
Alex Ovechkin celebrates his 500th goal on Sunday against the Ottawa Senators. Getty