Washington at San Jose

The Capitals are back to playing great defense. The result is an 8-1 record in their last nine games. Look for Washington to keep rolling and for the total to go UNDER. The Capitals are holding foes to an average of 1.6 goals per game in their last five games. That has moved their defensive rating from No. 3 to No. 2 on the season. Washington gives up 2.6 goals a game. The Capitals also give up the fifth-fewest shots on net. The Sharks, by contrast, permit the most shots on goal and rank 21st defensively. This is the first meeting between the two teams this season. San Jose has had trouble putting the puck in the net against the Capitals, scoring only six times during the past four meetings. Yaroslav Askarov was outstanding in net for San Jose during November with a 1.88 GAA and .947 save percentage. Washington is going to keep the pace slow after beating the Kings, 3-1, in LA last night. Take the Capitals and the UNDER.