Nashville Predators vs Washington Capitals Betting Picks

The past eight meetings have gone UNDER, and Nashville is 6-0 UNDER following an overtime game on the previous day. The Predators lost 6-5 in OT to Minnesota last night with Juuse Saros allowing six goals on 44 shots. The UNDER is 9-1-2 in Washington's past 12 games against teams that scored at least five goals in their previous game. The Capitals have stayed UNDER four of six home games and four of six against the Central Division. The Predators have gone UNDER five of six versus Metropolitan Division opponents. Justus Annunen will be in the net for Nashville, and he had 32 saves in a 3-2 overtime loss against New Jersey in his last start on Jan. 29. Logan Thompson is expected to return from an upper-body injury, and he owns a 2.46 goals-against average for the Capitals. Take the UNDER. 

Washington was a season-best 17-9-2 in early December. Since then, they have gone 6-7-4. But even though the Capitals have tailed off, they are eight points better than the Predators. Washington looked good in a 5-1 road win on Friday against the Blackhawks. Nashville hosted the Blackhawks last night and lost, 3-0. The Predators were blanked by third-string Chicago goalie Drew Commesso, who was playing in only his fourth NHL game. Juuse Saros was in net for the Predators. That means Nashville is likely to start backup goalie Justus Annunen, who has a 3.29 goals against average and an .878 save percentage. Annunen allowed three goals on six shots in his only career appearance versus Washington. Capitals starter Logan Thompson is projected to be in net. Thompson is 5-1-0 with a 2.02 goals-against average and .941 save percentage in six career games versus the Predators. Nashville is 1-5 this season when playing without rest. Take the Capitals.

Washington has alternated wins and losses in its past 10 games, so it is due for a victory after losing 3-2 in overtime to Montreal last night. Logan Thompson replaced Charlie Lindgren, who had left with an upper-body injury, and Thompson suffered a rare loss as he is still 17-2-3 this season. He is confirmed for tonight's game, and Thompson has a 2.32 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage as he continues his outstanding first year with the Capitals. Nashville has lost four of six, including 5-2 against Winnipeg on Tuesday. The Predators are 2-10 in their past 12 games against the Eastern Conference and 0-4 overall, playing with at least three days rest. Nashville has lost 14 of 20 overall, and Washington has won five straight Saturday games. Take the Capitals.

Nashville won the first meeting this season 3-1 on Dec. 16 when Juuse Saros stopped 21 of 22 shots for the Predators, who will look to snap a three-game skid after losing 5-4 in overtime to Detroit on Friday night. Nashville backup goalie Kevin Lankinen is questionable (illness) so the Predators are expected to go with rookie Yaroslav Askarov in his first NHL start after he appeared in the third period against Carolina on Wednesday and he stopped all six shots he faced. The Predators are 16-5 their past 21 games versus the Metropolitan Division and they have won six of eight road games overall. Washington has lost 10 of the past 13 meetings and the Capitals are on a current three-game losing streak while scoring a total of only three goals in those three games. Play the Predators.