The Washington Capitals (9-11-3) and Vancouver Canucks (9-10-3) meet Tuesday at Rogers Arena in Vancouver. Puck drop is scheduled for 10 p.m. E
The Capitals play the 2nd of a 6-game road trip, and Washington hopes this one goes better than its first outing. The Caps were bludgeoned 5-1 at the New Jersey Devils Saturday. Washington has cashed the Under in 4 consecutive outings.
These teams met in Washington back on Oct. 17, and the Caps came away with a 6-4 victory as the Over easily connected.
The Canucks eked out a 4-3 overtime win against the San Jose Sharks on the road Sunday. Vancouver has won 3 in a row, and 5 of the past 6 games, while the Over is 10-3 across the past 13 games.
Capitals at Canucks odds
- Moneyline (ML): Capitals +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Capitals -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Capitals +1.5 (-270) | Capitals -1.5 (+190)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Capitals at Canucks projected goalies
Darcy Kuemper (7-9-1, 2.60 GAA, .914 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Thatcher Demko (3-9-2, 3.81 GAA, .885 SV%)
Kuemper turned aside all 32 of the shots he faced in a 3-0 shutout victory against the visiting Calgary Flames Friday. He has won 2 straight starts after dropping the first 6 of 7 outings in November.
Demko allowed 3 goals on 35 shots in Sunday’s 4-3 OT win at San Jose. It was a rare win in November, as he is just 2-4-1 with a 3.56 GAA and .895 SV%, allowing 3 or more goals in 6 of his 7 starts this month.
Capitals at Canucks picks and predictions
Prediction
Capitals 5, Canucks 2
The CAPITALS (+105) are a solid play as short ‘dogs on the road. It comes down to goaltending, and Washington has a strong backstop, while Vancouver has been shaky for a good chunk of the season in between the pipes.
There is some risk here, as the Caps have won just 3 of the past 16 games on the road, but they are rested having last played Saturday. Washington is 8-3 in the past 11 games when playing on 2 days of rest.
Puck line/Against the spread
The Capitals +1.5 (-270) will cost you more than 2 1/2 times your potential return if you want some insurance and just cannot fathom a straight-up play on Washington. If you like the Caps, just play them straight up for a much better value.
AVOID.
Over/Under
OVER 6.5(-105) is worth a look — but play it lightly.
Demko has been so giving for the Canucks, but the concern is Kuemper. When he is on his game, he doesn’t allow much, if anything at all.
The Under is 4-0 in the past 4 games overall for the Caps, too. However, the Over is 4-1 in the past 5 home games for the Canucks, while going 5-1 in the past 6 against Eastern Conference foes.