The Washington Capitals couldn't have started their West Coast road trip any worse on Monday, falling 2-1 to the San Jose Sharks. Now, things are only set to get worse when they square off against the Los Angeles Kings — winners of five straight.
NHL odds have the home team heavily favored with the total set between 5.5 and 6.5 depending on the book.
Don't let records fool you, The Caps may be above .500 but this team is nowhere near contender status. Offense has been hard to come by and now they have to try and solve a resurgent Cam Talbot. My free NHL picks are fading Washington's putrid offense in this Capitals vs. Kings affair on November 29.
Capitals vs Kings odds
Capitals vs Kings predictions
I want you to take a quick second and think, how many teams have scored fewer goals than the Washington Capitals this season? If you've guessed any more than one... you're wrong. That's right, the only team that has potted fewer goals than the Caps this season is the 5-15-2 San Jose Sharks. I wonder what will happen when they play...
Final from San Jose.#CapsSharks pic.twitter.com/TWlQg1mQfh
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 28, 2023
Well then. Yeah, tonight is going to be really bad for Washington fans.
The Capitals are scoring just 2.33 goals per game, have the second-worst shooting percentage in the league at 8%, and rank — you guessed it — dead last on the power play. It should be okay though, the Los Angeles Kings are just the *checks notes* No. 1-ranked defense in the league! Things are not okay.
Washington is also horrendous at 5v5, scoring just 28 goals in 18 outings (1.55 per game). This team is old and slow, and without Alex Ovechkin and the PP unit clicking, the Capitals have lost all of the offensive punch they once had.
You're probably thinking how a squad this offensively challenged is 10-6-2, and it comes down to how surprising the Caps have been on defense. They're eighth in goals allowed and rarely find themselves in the penalty box, so their mediocre PK isn't worked to the bone.
That defense is the only reason I'm avoiding taking the Kings' puck line: Washington's play in its own zone has kept it in — or won — more games than it had any business doing so. With that said, I still have to fade this offense.
The Capitals have mustered one goal in their last two games against much worse goaltending, and now they have to try and solve Cam Talbot, who's sitting with a 2.02 GAA and .931 SV%.
Washington's team total tonight is 2.5 (below its season average) and is paying -120. We're getting one of the worst offenses against the best defense, and -120 is more than a fair price to get on this play. If you're feeling really brave — or just hate the Caps — Under 1.5 is a juicy +230.
My best bet: Capitals team total Under 2.5 (-120 at bet365)
Not intended for use in MA.
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Capitals vs Kings same-game parlay
Capitals team total Under 2.5
Kings moneyline
Alexander Ovechkin Under 0.5 points
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It's hard to win games when you can't score, and although the Caps have gotten away with that so far, it won't be the case tonight. Los Angeles is riding a five-game heater into tonight and will outplay Washington in every facet of the game.
As for Ovechkin, Father Time may have claimed another soul. Ovi has just 12 points in 18 outings and hasn't registered one in three straight. He hasn't been able to get going in his office and tonight should produce another donut for Ovechkin in the point column.
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Capitals vs Kings moneyline and Over/Under analysis
The Kings opened up this game around the -210 mark and even saw -230 before eventually getting back down to -220. Make sure to shop around if you're really willing to pay the juice, as you can get L.A. as short as -199. As for the underdogs, the best price for the Capitals is around the +180 mark.
The total is a little funnier, as the general consensus is a flat 6.0, although some rogue 5.5s and 6.5s are out there. The Over on the 6.5s are paying at plus money while the Unders on 5.5 are as well. Be sure to shop around for the best number before placing anything on the total, as I'd imagine 6s across the board will be the case by puck drop.
Capitals vs Kings betting trend to know
The Kings are 5-0 SU in their last 5 overall. Find more NHL betting trends for Capitals vs. Kings.
Capitals vs Kings game info
| Location: | Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA |
| Date: | Wednesday, November 29, 2023 |
| Puck drop: | 10:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Sportsnet |
Capitals vs Kings latest injuries
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