Caps vs Lightning NHL Spread/Handicapping
Ice Cold Lightning Host Suddenly Surging Capitals Thursday Night
The Washington Capitals will try to build on a season high two game win streak when they head to Tampa Bay to take on a Lightning squad that has lost five straight after starting the season on fire.
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Washington Capitals (4-8-1-0) at Tampa Bay Lightning (6-5-0-1)
When: 7:30 PM ET, Thursday, February 14, 2013
Where: Tampa Bay Times Forum, Tampa, Florida
Broadcast: NHLN-US, CSN-DC, SUN
Caps vs. Lightning Betting Lines from JustBet
Washington Capitals +1½ -245 +126 Ov 5½ -137
Tampa Bay Lightning -1½ +205 -139 Un 5½ +124
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The Capitals will be out to avenge a 6-3 loss at the hands of the Lightning on opening night and they may have caught Tampa Bay at precisely the right time.
The Caps have been awful this season but there is hope on the horizon after sweeping the Panthers in a home-and-home and scoring 11 goals over that span. The previously anemic offense for the Caps has come alive – now it is up to the poor defense and goaltending to catch up to the offensive output.
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The Caps are now averaging 2.77 goals per game after their 11 goal/two game output. Finally Alex Ovechkin has goals in three straight games and points in five straight. After a slow start, he’s up to five tallies and 10 points in 13 contests. Let’s face it – Washington is a better team than they’ve shown so far. The big question mark is …
Goaltending. The Capitals allow 3.54 goals per game. Braden Holtby is 3-4-0 with a 4.03 goal against average and an ugly .874 save percentage.
The Tampa Bay Lightning have hit the skids after a hot start- 6-1 with 37 goals in their first seven games. After scoring at will the first seven the Lightning scored a total of six goals in four games before “breaking out” with three goals in a loss to Montreal. Steven Stamkos was held without a goal Tuesday – his fourth straight game since scoring six in the previous five. But this game reeks of breakout doesn’t it? [soliloquy id=”82219″]
The Lightning have won six straight at home against Washington, dating back to the final two contests of a four-game sweep in the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Stamkos has five goals and five assists in his last six games versus Washington. Martin St. Louis scored two of his three this season and added an assist against the Capitals last month.
Betting Prediction:
A few trends to consider:
• WAS are 1-7 in their last 8 road games.
• WAS are 1-7 in their last 8 games following a win.
• Under is 23-5-1 in WAS last 29 Thu. games.
• TB are 9-2 in their last 11 home games.
• Over is 49-22-3 in TB last 74 home games.
• Over is 48-22-1 in TB last 71 overall.
• Home team is 9-0 in the last 9 meetings.
• Over is 7-2 in the last 9 meetings.
It seems odd that a team that has lost five straight is favorite over a team on a two game win streak doesn’t it? But like I said – this game has breakout written all over it for Tampa Bay. Add in the fact that Ovy is pointless – POINTLESS in his last three games against the Lightning and my choice is easy.
Pick: Tampa Bay Lightning -139
