The Pittsburgh Penguins (2-1-0) face the Washington Capitals (1-1-0) Wednesday at Capital One Arena in Washington D.C. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. ET (TNT). Let's analyze NHL odds around the Penguins vs. Capitals odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
2025-26 season series: Caps won 2-1
The Pens fell 3-2 to the Winnipeg Jets Monday as -175 favorites. They led 1-0 going into the third, but the Jets poured it on with 3 goals in the final period. C Sidney Crosby had 5 shots on goal, but he was held pointless for the first time this season. He's still searching for his first tally.
The Caps fell 3-1 to the Tampa Bay Lightning Saturday. RW Justin Sourdif had the only goal as the Caps split a back-to-back over the weekend. This is their
home opener, and LW Alex Ovechkin has announced this is his final season. The crowd should be in it from the initial draw.
This will be the 101st time that Crosby and Ovechkin have played against each other (75 regular-season games and 25 postseason). Per NHL.com, Crosby leads the head-to-head matchup regular-season series 43–28–4 and has won 3 of their 4 postseason series meetings. In the 75 regular-season matchups, Crosby has 97 points (35 goals, 62 assists), while Ovechkin has 71 points (38 goals, 33 assists).
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Penguins at Capitals odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated 1:30 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Penguins +135 (bet $100 to win $135) | Capitals -160 (bet $160 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Penguins +1.5 (-175) | Capitals -1.5 (+145)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Penguins at Capitals projected goalies
Arturs Silovs (2-0-0, 2.47 GAA, .886 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Logan Thompson (1-0-0, 2.00 GAA, .939 SV%)
Silovs opened the season with a 19-save shutout over the Philadelphia Flyers. He survived a 6-5 OT win against the Montreal Canadiens next time out, stopping 20 of 25 shots. He was 1-1-0 with a 4.04 GAA in 2 starts against the Caps last season.
Thompson stopped 31 of 33 shots in his lone start against the Carolina Hurricanes Friday. He went 2-0-0 with a 1.50 GAA in 2 starts against the Pens last season.
Penguins at Capitals picks and predictions
Prediction
Capitals 3, Penguins 2
Moneyline
With the Caps in their home opener and emotions high, the CAPITALS (-160) is the way to go.
Puck line/Against the spread
No interest. PASS.
Over/Under
The Pens are 2-1 O/U on the campaign, and the Caps are 1-1. With the number at 6.5, I'm going UNDER 6.5 (-110). The total has gone high in 4 of 5 meetings, but this early in the season, I'll shy away from trying to go north of 6.5.
Best prop bet
Give me ALEX OVECHKIN ANYTIME GOAL (+185). As mentioned, it's their home opener, and Ovi has announced this is his last ride. I look for him to tickle the twine against his rival Crosby.
Betting odds calculator
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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: Pittsburgh Penguins at Washington Capitals odds, picks and predictions
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